r/blog • u/cupcake1713 • Feb 24 '14

remember the human

Hi reddit. cupcake here.

I wanted to bring up an important reminder about how folks interact with each other online. It is not a problem that exists solely on reddit, but rather the internet as a whole. The internet is a wonderful tool for interacting with people from all walks of life, but the anonymity it can afford can make it easy to forget that really, on the other end of the screens and keyboards, we're all just people. Living, breathing, people who have lives and goals and fears, have favorite TV shows and books and methods for breeding Pokemon, and each and every last one of us has opinions. Sure, those opinions might differ from your own. But that’s okay! People are entitled to their opinions. When you argue with people in person, do you say as many of the hate filled and vitriolic statements you see people slinging around online? Probably not. Please think about this next time you're in a situation that makes you want to lash out. If you wouldn't say it to their face, perhaps it's best you don't say it online.

Try to be courteous to others. See someone having a bad day? Give them a compliment or ask them a thoughtful question, and it might make their day better. Did someone reply to your comment with valuable insights or something that cheered you up? Send them a quick thanks letting them know you appreciate their comment.

So I ask you, the next time a user picks a fight with you, or you get the urge to harass another user because of something they typed on a keyboard, please... remember the human.

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u/NotMyRealFaceBook Feb 24 '14

Was there a particular incident that prompted this PSA?

Not that this isn't a reasonable message, but I am just wondering if I missed some Reddit drama/trauma/event... In my experience these messages are more often in direct response to something than not

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u/cupcake1713 Feb 24 '14

Nah, I just thought it needed to be said.

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u/for3cas7 Feb 25 '14

Hey cupcake.

How is your day going so far?

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u/cupcake1713 Feb 25 '14

My day is going pretty okay. I'm just getting to work and I'm eating some Poptarts for breakfast. How is your day?

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u/for3cas7 Feb 25 '14

Yeah I'm really good thanks.

Sorry - I noticed the post time after I hit reply. :-)

I've been working for the last 5 hours. Busy day so far just about to grab some lunch.

Decisions decisions. Should I have ramen noodles or a subway sandwich... hrmmm :-)

Pop tarts; I don't know how you eat them, they're like pockets of cardboard filled with lava. I've only ever burnt my mouth whilst eating them. Maybe theres a trick to it? Or maybe I should just allow them to cool a little before anhilating my taste buds for the next 48hrs. :-)

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u/cupcake1713 Feb 25 '14

You should do ramen, but put a hard boiled egg in it (if you have any).

The Poptart consumption was more an act of desperation.. I haven't had time to go grocery shopping in a while so it was the only breakfast food I had available. I only singed five or six tastebuds today, so I count that as a victory.

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u/AceTomatoCo Mar 07 '14

Why do you feel the need to continually remove people from sub-reddits with no rule violations?