/r/redditoroftheday

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redditors are asked similar questions and are given an opportunity to elaborate. The results are then posted for your information and entertainment or general wtfness.

Redditors are asked similar questions and are given an opportunity to elaborate. The results are then posted for your information and entertainment or general wtfness.


Nominate someone to be redditor of the day!

Message the moderators!

All we need is their name and a simple 1 sentence explanation of why they would be a good pick for redditor of the day.


The upcoming schedule:

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rotd's crown by the amazing PhilxBefore
Alien by the super cool jhra.
Format by the incredibly sweet chromakode.


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Subreddits You May Enjoy:

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5,631 Subscribers

35

Happy Thanksgiving from a long lost friend

Hey everybody, I have decided to post a post wishing everyone on Reddit a very Happy Thanksgiving. I know it's late in the day, and there is only about one hour of Thanksgiving day left on the US East Coast now. But I just got home from my family Thanksgiving dinner and when I got in I had a PM from an old Reddit friend, & former /r/RedditOfTheDay mod, /u/dzneill and that got me thinking.

We stopped doing the RotD threads about people because of worries about things like Doxing and the like. But one thing we used to do was threads about holidays and stuff...... things where were just talked to each other about stuff. And there really ain't no reason we can't continue to do that.

Many of the old mods have since resigned. The rest of us aren't really modding here anymore (it was never really traditional modding here anyway. It was more bugging people via lots of PMs and getting somebody to type up 1000-100000 words about themselves.

Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving from all of us to all of our still users..... if any are out there.

Have a great holiday season.

-- The Redditor of the Day Staff Monkey Team

16 Comments
2016/11/25
04:03 UTC

36

ky1e, redditor of the day, July 29, 2013

#/u/Ky1e

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

20/M/Boston. I love the weather here, and the overabundance of Dunkin' Donuts is great.

Relationship Status?

I'm not single, and neither is my girlfriend.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

I like both. Here's my dog, Kelly. He is 12 years old and blind.

Favorite beverage?

I'm from Boston. If I go too long without iced coffee I start to wither away.

Food?

I've recently found a Mediterranean place near my job, their falafel sandwiches are incredible.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Robocop is my favorite movie. My favorite directors are Wes Anderson, the Coen brothers, Stanley Kubrick, and Spike Jonze.

The Honeymooners is my absolute favorite show. Some shows I have watched religiously are: The Simpsons, Futurama, Trailer Park Boys, Fawlty Towers, Top Gear, An Idiot Abroad, The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, and the Shōgun mini-series from the 80's.

Music?

(Some) my favorite albums are: Moving Pictures by Rush, The Final Cut by Pink Floyd, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band by the Beatles, Wolfmother by Wolfmother, Business As Usual by Men at Work, and High Violet by The National.

Books?

Here's a few:

  • Shogun by James Clavell - this and all of Clavell's books are rich and satisfying, each telling a story of a white man and an Asian nation.
  • The Gormenghast novels by Mervyn Peake - These books are under-appreciated and mysterious, much like the Castle Gormenghast.
  • Travels by Michael Crichton - I love all of Crichton's books, but this one has stuck with me the most.
  • Big Bang by Simon Singh - I reread this book every 6 months or so, just to keep it fresh in my mind. It teaches you the history of astronomy and our collective perspective on the Universe as a species.
  • Calvin & Hobbes, Fox Trot, Zits, Dilbert, Get Fuzzy, Bloomberg County
  • Surely You Must Be Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman - This is my favorite biography and physics book all bundled up into one.
  • Trends by Isaac Asimov - I owe a lot to Isaac Asimov and have read a great deal of his books. This short story is what I think of as his best work. It's about a world that is overrun by religious politics and has outlawed all space exploration, and a man that breaks that law.
  • Dreams, Stars, and Electrons by Lyman Spitzer - A collection of essays about Spitzer's published physics research papers.

Games?

I've been playing Minecraft since there were no doors in the game, and I've never lost that initial interest in it. I also love KSP, the original gameboy Pokemon Blue, Just Cause 2, and Starcraft 2.

What is your favorite word or expression?

"Wicked" is a wicked good word.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

I've been listening to the Bill Burr podcast lately, that guy is pretty damn funny.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Books that get redesigned covers based on their movie counterparts.

What was the best thing about the last year?

/r/Books becoming a default subreddit. I've put so much work into that subreddit, I'm honored that it is part of the frontpage of the Internet.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

GTA V

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I hate "alternate timeline" episodes on tv, so I don't think I'd take that do-over.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

A while ago I made a few wallpapers based off book cover designs. That little project led to /r/BookWallpapers.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

My name is Kyle and I'm an internet nerd that swaps letters with numbers.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

One other account that is older than this one but has a boring name.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

The growing list of awesome literary subreddits.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I go to school in Boston and over the summer I am working as a painter. I am currently painting bathroom walls, it's pretty glamorous. When I'm not doing that I read books.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

I moderate /r/Books. I love that they all love books, too. I also moderate /r/WroteABook, /r/BookWallpapers, and /r/HIFW. The first is a great community of new authors, the second is full of awesome wallpapers and talented designers, and the third is absurd.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Larger subreddits have begun promoting smaller subreddits more, directing Redditors with more specific interests to those communities.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Definitely.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

/r/WroteABook is full of awesome Redditors that have written awesome books. They're all new authors, and new authors are always in need of encouragement.

46 Comments
2013/07/29
20:14 UTC

25

Artrw, Redditor of the Day, July 26, 2013

#/u/Artrw

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

17 almost 18, Male, Northern Utah. Utah has it's ups and downs. As a non-Mormon it's an interesting culture, but the location is pretty beautiful (though I like Southern Utah more).

Relationship Status?

Single

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cats. Dogs attacked me as a kid, so screw them.

Favorite beverage?

Dr. Pepper

Food?

This is too hard, but I can almost always go for a sweet pork burrito.

Crab is fantastic, though...

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Movies: Fargo, Bicycle Thieves, Inglorious Basterds, Pi, Blazing Saddles, No Country for Old Men, The Big Lebowski, Monsieur Lazhar

TV Shows:

I don't watch a whole lot of TV, but when I do it's usually the Simpsons, South Park, or Archer.

Music?

Usually hip-hop or alternative, but I listen to pretty much anything but country

Favorite hip-hop is Kanye, Nas, Biggie, and Kendrick

Favorite alternative is Modest Mouse, Neutral Milk Hotel, Muse, Franz Ferdinand, Ok Go, The xx, Vampire Weekend and The White Stripes

Also have soft spots for Steely Dan, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, and Iron & Wine

Books?

Despite its status as a popular history, I'd be doing a disservice to "A Short History of Nearly Everything" if I called it anything other than the best book I've ever read. I'm sure it has at least a few inaccuracies, but it's just so well written. I honestly don't read as much as I should, but classics-wise I've enjoyed 1984 and Catch-22 quite a bit.

Games?

I don't game much, but when I do it's usually TF2. I've also beat Just Cause 2.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Pimpmobile.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Jokes.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who walk slow, especially in formation with other slow walkers. I try to hit them just a little bit when I pass them.

Also, snowboarders who think it's OK to just plop their butts down at the end of the goat trail. Wtf is that.

What was the best thing about the last year?

My year has been pretty fantastic. I've traveled a lot and I graduated high school, but my absolute favorite week was the week I went to compete in the We the People National tournament with my absolutely great team. We competed two days and got in the top 15 (out of 50-some schools), and also got to tour around D.C. which is just a great area for touring.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

College starting. I honestly don't really know what to expect or what direction I'll go, but that makes it more fun.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

In my overly-sarcastic tone of conversation I've offended people in the past and I really regret that. I have no desire to stop being sarcastic, and I never hurt people on purpose, but there's just some jokes you wish you wouldn't have made, you know?

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I think a key point of that metaphor is that the butterfly never knows that it causes the hurricane. I can't think of anything but I like to think I've had a positive impact somewhere.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Honestly it's laughing, which sounds a lot less substantial than the classic answers of "family and friends." But time spent laughing with family and friends is way better than time spent doing anything else. Religion is also important to me but I won't get into that.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

It's initials. When I was in 5th grade and my dad was signing me up for an e-mail account, my fifth-grade self couldn't come up with usernames that didn't suck (like coolbro19859203 or whatever the hell fifth grade me was thinking), so my dad just assigned me this name.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

I have 3 other accounts, and I won't say what they are. None of them have anything substantial posted to them.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

/r/AskHistorians, duh.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Do random things with friends, or travel. If I'm not on for a longer period of time it's because I'm out of town. I'm lucky to have grown up in a family that makes traveling a lot a priority, much to the chagrin of my fellow mods, I'm sure!

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

/r/AskHistorians. When I created the sub, I never thought it would grow the way it has. I've learned an entire shitload, I've met really really great people, and just had a really good time in general. Dealing with Holocaust deniers and racists isn't the most fun thing ever, but the positives outweigh the negatives so hard that I would never consider stepping away.

I also mod a few other subs but I'm substantially less helpful in them. The lion's share of my time goes to /r/AskHistorians.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yes. It's gotten a lot bigger, and so it feels like the classic reddit persona (atheist 20-something males) is less of a majority. Still plenty prevalent, but getting to know my fellow mods, it's been interesting to see just how diverse our backgrounds are.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

There have been changes for the worse and there have been changes for the better. I don't like how reddit has an anything-goes style in most of the subs, and how people tend to take advantage of that, but like I've said, there's also more people around that work to combat that. So it's a mixed bag.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Nothing other than AskHistorians. If you guys would like to ask some questions about the Chinese Exclusion, that'd be great.

39 Comments
2013/07/26
16:52 UTC

30

Algernon_Asimov, Redditor of the Day July 23, 2013!!

#/u/Algernon_Asimov

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

40s / Male / Melbourne, Victoria, Australia - and, yes I do love it here!

Relationship Status?

Single, and happy with that.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cats!

Favorite beverage?

Pineapple juice.

Food?

Not sure. I'm not really much of a foodie. Very simple tastes.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

TV

  • Buffy, the Vampire Slayer.
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation
  • Yes, Minister & Yes, Prime Minister
  • Frasier

Movies

  • The Court Jester
  • Fantasia & Fantasia 2000
  • The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
  • To Wong Foo, So Long, and Thanks for Everything

Stage plays Because I CAN! Hmph! (I actually prefer theatre to movies.)

  • Noises Off
  • Rent
  • The Importance of Being Earnest
  • Auntie Mame
  • Arsenic and Old Lace

Music?

Pet Shop Boys

Books?

  • Flowers for Algernon (the original novella, not the full-length novel) by Daniel Keyes.
  • I, Robot by Isaac Asimov.
  • I, Asimov (yes, his autobiography is one of my favourite books!)
  • Earth by David Brin.
  • The End of Eternity by Isaac Asimov.
  • The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.
  • The Ugly Little Boy (the original short story, not the expanded novel) by Isaac Asimov.
  • Forward the Foundation by Isaac Asimov.
  • The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Volumes One and Two, edited by Robert Silverberg.
  • The Super Hugos edited by Isaac Asimov.

Games?

  • Scrabble
  • Settlers of Catan

(Yeah, I don't do much gaming. And not video games.)

What is your favorite word or expression?

I'm gonna go with a few quotes because I can't think of a favourite word or expression.

  • "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent." -- Isaac Asimov ('Foundation')
  • "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about." -- Oscar Wilde
  • "If you do not ask the right questions, you do not get the right answers. A question asked in the right way often points to its own answer." -- Edward Hodnett

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Clever wit. Sarcasm. 'Frasier'.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Ignorant people. Especially ignorant people who revel in their ignorance and don't want to learn. And, this gets particularly interesting when you consider that one of my strongest personal characteristics is a desire to explain things...

What was the best thing about the last year?

Leaving a stressful living situation, to change my life from bad to less bad...

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

A job? Yeah, a job would be nice.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Don't get into that relationship, about three years ago. Yes, some good things came out of it, but also some horribly awful things happened as a result of it. (And, no, I'm not going into more detail.)

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Donno.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

If we're talking about things, my most important thing is the pot plant where I buried my beloved cat's ashes a few years ago. If we're talking about concepts, my most important concept is education - both educating myself, and educating others.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

So many meanings!

Algernon comes from three sources:

  • 'Flowers for Algernon', obviously. :)
  • Algernon Moncrieff, a character from an Oscar Wilde play - because Wilde is my second-favourite writer.
  • I've been an actor on and off through my life, and I once played Algernon Moncrieff on stage, so this recognises my theatre side.

Asimov has three reasons:

  • Because Isaac Asimov is my favourite writer, in any genre.
  • Because I love science fiction, and Asimov was a star in sci-fi.
  • Because Asimov was once President of the American Humanists Association, and I'm a Humanist.

Yes, I did over-think my username. Welcome to my world!

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Two. This one for the nice, intellectual side of me, and another one I use occasionally for reading some of the NSFW subreddits.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

I'd say two favourite parts:

  • /r/DaystromInstitute - a subreddit for in-depth discussion about Star Trek.
  • /r/AskHistorians - because I've got an interest in history, and because it's civilised.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Look for work. Socialise with friends. Watch DVDs. Read.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

I moderate two:

  • /r/DaystromInstitute - a subreddit for in-depth discussion about Star Trek. (It combines two of my favourite things - Star Trek and overthinking! haha) Actually, the people there are really thoughtful ("full of thought") and creative, and it's a joy to read some of the things they come up with.
  • /r/Asimov - a subreddit devoted to Isaac Asimov! :) Yeah, it's not busy, but it's still nice to be there anyway.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Nope. Hasn't it always been mostly a mix of crap and stupidity, pandering to the lowest denominator - but with some hidden gems if you're lucky enough to find them?

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

See above.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

  • /r/DaystromInstitute. But only if you're interested in Star Trek, and like to overthink things. It's not everyone's cup of tea.
  • And the Human Era calendar!
54 Comments
2013/07/23
22:21 UTC

30

/u/AlphaPigs! Redditor of the day for July 18, 2013!

/u/AlphaPigs

Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

∞/Male Robot/Michigan. Absolutely love it here. We get every season just long enough to start hating it.

Relationship Status?

Single and not looking, sorry ladies.

Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Beards, preferably. But otherwise, dogs.

Favorite beverage?

An ice cold orange soda, yum.

Food?

A good burger with slaw and a side of baked beans. Mmm sounds delicious.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Forest Gump. Gotta love the classics. Favorite TV show? The Office. I'm currently watching season 1-8 for the 4th time, I believe.

Music?

I'm a country kind of guy, but I'm not real picky.

Books?

I don't read as many books as I'd like to. And by that, I mean I haven't read a book in forever. I enjoy writing, though.

Games?

I play NHL 13 sometimes. Other than that, I'm not a big gamer.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Happy. Not only because Happy Gilmore was a great movie, but also because being happy is extremely important.


Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

I laugh a lot. My guinea pigs make me laugh a lot. They tell the best jokes

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I don't know of any pet peeves off the top of my head. HA, yeah right. Probably when people don't use turn signals, or when the sprinklers turn on in the middle of my shower.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Best thing about last year? I don't know, I can't remember that far back.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Probably just seeing family and friends. That's what's really important in life

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

1 do over, eh? Hmm, [I'm drawing a blank.](1 do over, eh? Hmm, I'm drawing a blank.)

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

One time I told a joke to someone at a party, and then someone across the room said it louder and people laughed. So yeah, I guess you could say I'm a comedian.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Religion, friends, and family. ^(Don't ^hate ^on ^this ^too ^much, ^please.)


Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

I have 2 guinea pigs, one is the alpha. Most people think I'm a psycho, though. I guess both are right.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Two. I deleted my first account and then made this one.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Favorite part of reddit? The community. Worst part of reddit? The community.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Play with my toes

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

/r/Politics, /r/DIY, /r/FiftyFifty, /r/Unexpected, /r/Blackpeoplegifs, and /r/Charity .

DIY has some really creative people. I could say tons of great things about each sub.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yes. There is a lot of new features with gold and stuff.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Yea, But it could also go downhill pretty fast. The admins gotta play it smart.


Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

I'd like to plug /r/ASMR (it's a great sub, and an even better community)

"/r/ASMR is mostly dedicated to posting videos which trigger some form of asmr (either by audio or visual stimuli), as well as discussing the often misunderstood sensation."

One of the mods of the sub was nice enough to write up a short summary of what ASMR is.

ASMR or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response is a euphoric tingling sensation beginning in the base of the head, traveling down one's neck, and spreading out the limbs. Each individual experiences ASMR through an external stimuli which vary but some common triggers include: Bob Ross videos, Whispering videos, people doing mundane tasks which require great focus. This is not experienced by everyone. People might experience ASMR without realizing it. For example going to the barber, if the barber uses trimmers close to the neck area, one might experience a pleasurable tingling sensation. ASMR is that tingling only the ability to control it.

"I think what I love most about /ASMR, though, is that it's a place that welcomes non-judgmental exploration of the sensation (mostly, I think, because understandings of the phenomena are just starting to develop). Regardless of your trigger, or how you experience the tingly feeling we all search out, you are welcome here."


Thanks so much for being redditor of the day!

73 Comments
2013/07/18
16:07 UTC

31

xXSquareHeadXx, redditor of the day July 12, 2013!!

/u/xXSquareHeadXx

Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

17/M/Varna, Bulgaria. As to whether I like where I live - to some extent. My country, although small, has incredible history and nature. But the people and the government are what makes me want to leave

Relationship Status?

Single

Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cats. I have a painful memory from my childhood with a street dog that left a big mark in my psychic

Favorite beverage?

Coffee. I need to cut the caffeine but, you know, it's really hard

Also water. Not many people realise how good it's for your organism. Don't drink juices and stuff like that - when thirsty drink water

Food?

Spaghetti, pizza, chocolate, all kinds of fruits, Bulgogi, sushi and many, many more

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Futurama, The Simpsons, Game Of Thrones, Star Wars(the original trilogy), Running Man(a Korean variety that is incredibly fun and I recommend you give it a try)

Music

I listen to music whenever I can and my tastes are really variable. Some of my favourites: Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Snoop Dogg/Lion, Frank Ocean, Girls' Generation, B.A.P, 4minute, Psy(and not only GS), 2NE1, SHINee, Girl's Day, Ladies Code(you'll notice a lot of k-pop)

Books

A Song of Ice and Fire, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again, And Then There Were None*

Games?

The Assassins Creed Series, Starcraft 2:Heart Of The Swarm, recently started playing League Of Legends

What is your favorite word or expression?

Sausage. I don't know why but that word just brings me joy

Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Literally everything. You can make me laugh with almost anything

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I am super literal.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Finally learned how to cook. Yey!

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I just began learning Korean, which turns out is going to be my 5th language, and I can't wait to learn more of it(feels strange saying that coming from me, the laziest mofo around)

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Nothing. What happened was meant to happen.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I showed this music video to one of my friends almost a year ago. He then showed it to more friends and they to more of their friend and I feel like I helped increase the popularity of Gangnam Style at least a little

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My family and friends. They are always there for me when I need them

Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

A year ago I had a really hilarious haircut that made my head look square. Friends started calling me 'squarehead' and that is how my username was created.

Total number of reddit identities you've had?

  1. I changed them in my first month on reddit for who-knows-what reason

What is your favorite part of reddit?

/r/kpop and /r/snsd because the people there are some of the nicest users around

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Study, go to the beach, out with friends, sleep

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

/r/AceOfAngels8. A really small subreddit right now but the group debuted last year so they don't have many fans as of yet

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yeah, one way or another. It sure has a lot more people

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Both actually. In some ways it became better in some worse

Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

/r/snsd and /r/kpop. Go there there to meet some of the nicest people on the internet and to listen to some Korean music

34 Comments
2013/07/12
17:54 UTC

26

HooHill, redditor of the day, June 21, 2013

HooHill #Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

Age: I am between the ages of 25 and 35.

Sex: I am a male of the species.

Location and do you love where you live?:

I currently live at my present location. Although, I do not love were I live because I do not currently live in New York City, London, or Bhutan. I like huge "global" cities and remote countryside. I tend not to like anything in between.

Relationship Status?

I am single.

Cats or Dogs?

As pets? I like both and can prefer one or the other depending on different contexts.

As food? Dogs are probably the best. I've never eaten either, but I would assume that a cat would be too sinewy to be good.

Favorite beverage?

When I can afford it, my favourite beverage is Caol Ila. For the most part, I drink water, wine, and scotch. However, I also like beer (particularly Fuller's ESB).

Food?

Some of my favourite foods include: roast bone marrow, softshell crab, gulab jamun, salo, mussels, extra spicy goat curries, dosa, ful medames, anchovies, ca ri ga, and spicy Korean soups.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

My favourite directors are: Satyajit Ray, Sir David Lean, and Akira Kurosawa.

A few of my favourite movies are: Hard Boiled, Lawrence of Arabia, Sholay, The Big Lebowski, The Apu Trilogy (particularly "the World of Apu"), and The Life Of Brian.

Some TV shows I like are: Black Adder, I'm Alan Partridge, The Wire, Anything with Sir David Attenborough, Only Fools And Horses, Chef!, and Breaking Bad.

Music

I am obsessed by music! Some music I enjoy: Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, The Clash, Scientist, Jacqueline du Pré, A Tribe Called Quest, Compay Segundo, Roxy Music, Henry 'Junjo' Lawes, Baaba Maal, The Stooges, Jimmy Rogers (the Chicago Blues guy), The Prodigy, Umm Kulthum, The Jam, Joe Morello, Lone Ranger (the reggae deejay), The Kinks, Pandit Ram Narayan, Ari Hoenig, Crass, New Flesh for Old, Pandit ShivKumar Sharma, Johann Strauss II, The Who (specifically, live recordings from the late 60's and early 70's), Gregory Isaacs, New Order, Abdel Halim Hafez, Portishead, Yellowman, Agustín Barrios Mangoré, The Rza, The Gza, The Ghostface Killah.

Books

Wizard of the Crow, A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century, Catch-22, Invincible: The Games of Shusaku, Cat's Cradle, Transmetropolitan.

Games?

Baduk/Go/Weiqi, Civilization 2 & 4, Super Mario Bros. 3, Gradius III, Super Smash Bros.

What is your favorite word or expression?

I often enjoy any expression that contains at least four of the following words: collywobbles, merkin, pettifogger, cunt, callipygian.

What makes you laugh?

Depending on the circumstance, everything.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

It's possibly my difficulty in finding good fitting clothes. I'm quite tall and lanky and most clothes are either too short or not slim enough.

What was the best thing about the last year?

I think I have found a better way to cook snails than even the best version of Escargots a la Bourguignonne.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Football's coming home (unlikely). Also, "The Special One" has returned to Chelsea!

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I would start studying the tabla and Indian Classical music at a younger age.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

When I was a teenager, I remember watching a movie late at night that had lots of dancing from a young Madhuri Dixit... Something got disproportionately larger.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

I can't pick just one thing, because fuck your rules. So, here are two things I consider amongst the most important: A good quality chef's knife and the continued advancement and prosperity of the species Homo sapiens sapiens throughout the universe (hopefully, via peaceful means).

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

"hoohill" describes a type of person. A "hoohill" is a person who eats more seafood than a person that eats a lot of seafood and at the same time, a "hoohill" is a person that delights in the eating of a medium-rare duck breast. I like my steaks rare, but my duck breasts should be medium rare!

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

At the present, I have had only one reddit identity. In the future, there is around a 3% chance that I shall make another identity. In the past, there is more than an 87% chance that I won't make another identity.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

r/castles, because people say nice things to me there.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I cook, study Baduk, watch a lot of football (soccer), drink much alcohol, consume much cannabis, practice the tabla, have long conversations with friends, hike, and masturbate.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

I moderate r/castles, which I like because it doesn't require moderation and I love history.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

In some ways, I think it has changed quite a bit, in others, not so much. Mostly, I think it has neither changed nor stayed the same.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

I've seen changes for the better and for the worse, depending on the subreddit. Although, as a general rule of thumb, reddit smells a bit off.

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Sortition (election via lottery)! Some element of sortition needs to be present in the electing of governmental leaders (perhaps mixed with some form of civil service exams). At the very least, partial sortition mixed with voting (like a MUCH simplified version of how the Doge of Venice was elected) is needed. I am well aware of the many drawbacks to sortition, but I think it is the lesser of two evils. In fact, I genuinely believe that any form of voting in leaders, in any form of government, will quickly devolve into extreme corruption and the illusion of choice.

47 Comments
2013/06/21
13:35 UTC

32

topodan, Redditor of the Day, June 7th, 2013!

/u/topodan

Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

25/M/Honolulu. I moved from Ohio to paradise. I love every minute of it.

Relationship Status?

In one w/ a graduate geochemist/former NCAA volleyball,basketball player/part time model. She studies the composition of the meteor that killed the dinosaurs. How fucking cool is that?

Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs, definitely. Here's mine dressed like Marty McFly for Halloween.

Favorite beverage?

Beer.

Food?

Beer.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

My favorite movies are the Indiana Jones trilogy; my favorite TV show is BSG.

Music?

Jimmy Buffett. That was actually the case before moving to the islands...

Books?

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander novels.

Games?

Video. Favorite of all time was Asheron's Call. Currently playing Guild Wars 2 and, ashamedly, Half Life 2 for the first time.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Murdered out. As in "The new Star Trek movie is totally murdered out!"


Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

The Office, Archer, and It's Always Sunny never fail to get me.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Bad drivers. I was in a hit-and-run on a bike and ended up with a lot of titanium bones.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Did a research expedition to the Marianas Trench/Climbed Kilimanjaro (and was front-paged for it)/Gave my first talk at a professional conference/Ran my first Marathon/Got my Masters. Last year was big for me.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Starting my PhD and collaborating with new people (occasionally in Paris)!

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Your mother. I'd still do her, just again.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I drunkenly made a subreddit to see if I could lie to people about a post title and get them to look at gross stuff. /r/FiftyFifty now has 82k subscribers.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Going on adventures with my SO. We've lived in the midwest, Germany, the tropics (all in the three years we've been together), and plan on going many, many other places.

Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

I got a magazine with a jaguar in front of a topographic map on the cover. I named him topo-dan.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Maybe 5? This is by far the most active.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Definitely going through the comments and finding those rare buried jewels.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I am working on my PhD in geophysics and geodynamics, I run and do triathlons, go to the beach, and play video games. Oh yeah, and also climb the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Did I mention that?

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate.

What about those communities do you like? The biggest is /r/FiftyFifty. It's my baby and I love it. The people are all weirdos and complain about everything, but they keep the posts consistantly high quality. /r/DailyDouble is great because the mods are so social and active. /r/unexpected I think is an awesome outlet for content. I mod others, but nothing noteworthy.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

It seems that the established userbase is fleeing the defaults as they are invaded by middle-high school aged users. I think that's the biggest.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

I don't know. More people seem to be using Reddit, and it's forcing people to find smaller communities, so probably for the best.


Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Unprotected sex and /r/Unexpected. We're trying to grow it and I think there's potential there.

23 Comments
2013/06/07
16:52 UTC

19

mcantelon, Redditor Of The Day for June 6, 2013!

/u/mcantelon

Stats

/S/L and do you love where you live?

I'm 40, male, and live in Vancouver. I wouldn't say I "love" Vancouver as it seems a bit prissy, culturally. It's good for "nature times", though. And the communities that survive Vancouver's habitual indifference tend to be pretty hearty.

Relationship Status?

I'm in a long-term relationship.

Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cat is good. They're like little mute goths.

Favorite beverage?

My favourite is Phillips Amnesiac Double IPA.

Food?

Pizza and sandwiches. Pizza because it has cheese, which I like, and sandwiches because they are quick to construct.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

This is a hard one to answer because I always forget, so I'll just fish out ones that come to mind. Some movies I've enjoyed are "Irreversible" (2002), "Enter the Void" (2009), "Ichi the Killer" (2001), and "Naked Blood: Megyaku" (1996). Some TV shows that turned my crank are "Twin Peaks" (1990), "Dennō Coil" (2007), "The Prisoner" (1967).

Music?

I mostly listen to electronic type stuffs. I used to dig around on the Internet a lot to find stuff I haven't heard, but don't so much anymore. Some of my all time favourites are Gerald Donald, Throbbing Gristle, ADULT., and The Orb.

Books? The "The Tin Drum" by Günter Grass is has some great moments in it. "Apocalypse Culture" by Adam Parfrey is a great anthology of writing about various eccentrics and criminals. "Pranks!" by V. Vale and Andrea Juno contains various recounts of performance art and tomfoolery.

Games?

"Hitman: Blood Money" (originally on PS2, but available on PS3 as part of the "Hitman HD Collection") has great atmosphere and a lot of playability. "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" (PS2) was a classic largely due to its soundtrack and size. "Rags to Riches" (Commodore 64) was a game that I liked because you work your way up from being a hobo type and then you get an education and can eventually become a salaryman.

What is your favorite word or expression?

"It all adds up".

Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

What some people try to get away with. And animals.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

They who lack curiosity.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Managing not to freak out. A friend did a tarot card reading near the start of the previous year that predicted, more or less, that I would become unglued. Also I visited New York for the first time which was pretty neat.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Getting a nerd book I co-wrote published after 2 years of slogging.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

There are many. I am a foolish man.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

That would be interesting to know, but I don't.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Not being too much of a jerk to friends and family.

Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

The "m" stands for "man", something that I am. The "c" stands for "charitable". The "a" stands for three things: "amiable" and "always" (as in "always ready for a friend"), and "animalistic". Just kidding, actually. I don't know what the letters mean.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

It's hard to say. Maybe around 20 or so. Some I just had brief good times with.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

All the peculiar little niche subreddits.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Computer programming, hiking, watching screens, researching various obsessions.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate.

/r/vancouver, /r/britishcolumbia, /r/opendata

What about those communities do you like?

Subreddit users submit some interesting stuff sometimes.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

It's gotten a lot bigger and people seem to be expecting it to be more like mainstream online media.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

There's good and bad with it. Like the Internet itself, there's room on it for all sorts of folks.

Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Support Bradley Manning, and anyone else who works to get the truth about what's going on in the world out.

40 Comments
2013/06/06
17:17 UTC

24

kreius, Redditor of the Day, May 31st 2013!!

/u/kreius

Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

24, male, Virginia

Relationship Status?

complicated

Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs, Pitbulls ftw.

Favorite beverage?

Dr Pepper or Coke w/ Vanilla syrup

Food?

Ginger-Garlic glazed grilled chicken drumstick.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Movies, Back to the future, Avengers.

TV, Eureka, House of Cards, Futurama

Music?

Daft Punk, Erik Satie, Jarle Bernhoft, Kamru Pamyu Pamyu

Books?

I Jedi, Game of Thones

Games?

Jedi Academy, Bioshock Infinite, Final Fantasy 6

What is your favorite word or expression?

Fuck me.

Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Bad cooking.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People who think moderators keep a list of their names and it's all a personal spite why their submission was removed.

What was the best thing about the last year?

That it ended.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Graduation.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

None, life is meant to be lived, not regretted.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Sure, I'd love to help you with this event, suddenly I'm a student coordinator, assistant chef and have responcibilities.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Friendship.

Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

I used it in World of Warcraft, and before that a mud which I played between 2001 and 2007.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

One.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Soupyhands and Kjones.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Chef work.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

Too damn many to name. Each one ofthe SFW's adds it's own little touch that makes

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yes

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Depends what aspect you mean, the small-closed knit nature that some subreddits try tocling to is slowly dying. Which honestly isn't a bad thing, inclusion rather than exclusion.

Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Reddit is not a way of life, do not life in Reddit, do not let it encapsulate your life. There's a very big world out there, and behind a computer screen is not the way to see it.

53 Comments
2013/05/31
15:49 UTC

34

RoastedBagel, the delicious Redditor Of The Day for May 29, 2013!

/u/roastedbagel

Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

30/[M]ale/South Florida - I love it down here, not sure I'd want to live anywhere else. We have everything: nightlife, amazing food, water everywhere, and the ability to be lounging on the beach in January when most of the world is hunkered down in snowstorms. Oh, and we have crazy people. Those are always a fun time.

Relationship Status?

Single and not loving it

Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

My 2 cats want me to say "cats"

Favorite beverage?

Unsweetened Tea or a good whiskey

Food?

A gossip between Taco Bell and Bagels (with lox)

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Scrubs, The Walking Dead, Rescue Me, Modern Family - movies: Dumb & Dumber, Rocky 4, Knockaround Guys

Music?

(I span many genres) Less Than Jake, Tool, A Day To Remember, Rise Against!, and all classic rock & 90s grunge/alternative which I grew up on.

Books?

The Walking Dead

Games?

Haven't played much games since i was a teenager, but interactive games like guitar Hero or Dance Central are always fun at parties; by myself would be Portal 2 for most recent, and FF VII was the last game I finished through back in 97.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Ipso Facto


Miscellany:

What makes you laugh?

Many things, the latest was the GIF of a cat licking a kitten so hard it fell off the table. Hilarious. Also, and I know ill get flak, but MTVs Girl Code has some funny ass comedians on it, and I've found myself cracking up through the whole thing.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

The hatred I see between strangers with differing opinions

What was the best thing about the last year?

Getting a promotion and my trip to Vegas. Oh boy.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

My trip to Chicago for RiotFest, lots of changes at work with my skillset. Getting an awesome gift for Arbitrary Day.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Not going out that night for a friends bachelor party

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Umm, the time I said "that would be fabulous" in an IAmA thread that just began which resulted in about 300 orangereds

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My best friends and family's health. They mean everything to me. They're all I have. This includes my cats. They've been with me through everything.


Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Umm...pass. lets just say I like bagels.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

1 (though created a throwaway once to answer a question about my job)

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Interacting with millions of people in my own home

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Working or hopefully doing something on the water. Jk, I'm redditing.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate?

A handful, the more recognized ones would be /r/IAmA, /r/AskReddit, /r/DIY, /r/TipOfMyTongue. My favorite not so big ones would be /r/FoodHacks, /r/TrueWalkingDead, /r/Metalcore and /r/PostHardcore. I love them all though. I wouldnt mod a subreddit I didn't like or contribute to.

What about those communities do you like?

/r/IAmA simply because of the opportunities of getting insight into all walks of life. AskReddit for gaining insight into how others react and answer questions. Really opens my mind to many things. FoodHacks is amazing for a horrible cook like myself, the main submitter/chefs come up with crazy ideas. The music related ones are great since my IRL friends don't listen to what I do, so interacting with other fans of those specific genres is great.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Most definitely.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Partially. I could write a thesis on my thoughts, but I won't. Basically it has attracted a lot more younger folks which is fine, however a trait of being young is the craving for validation - which can be fulfilled by karma. This in turn lowers quality by a lot. Its hard to get good discussions, plus it brings a lot of internet tough guys who are mean to everyone just for the sake of it. Smaller subreddits are wonderful though in steering clear from that. Also being able to moderate allows me to help remove hatred which is rewarding.


Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

/r/FoodHacks - smaller community with good OC food-creation wise. /r/TrueWalkingDead for you WD fans who feel the bigger community is lacking in discussion/quality. Charities. If you have a spare $5 in your pocket, donate it. It feels so good helping out, pick your favorite cause, and help them out! Here's a good starting point

37 Comments
2013/05/29
16:54 UTC

27

NMW, Redditor of the Day, May 24th, 2013!!

#/u/NMW

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

27/M/Ottawa, and yes.

Relationship Status?

My girlfriend and I have been together for about a year, now, and are quite happy with it all. She quite puts me to shame, actually -- travels to international conferences in her field while I argue with people on the internet in mine.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cats.

Favorite beverage?

That would be Sinha, a strong, black Sri Lankan stout who don't need no man.

Food?

A thick, juicy burger hot off the grill is at the very top of the list. Get some roasted red peppers, fresh avocado and Monterrey Jack cheese on there and things are looking good.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

This is always a hard question, especially when it comes to movies (of which I've seen over three thousand, at my last count -- yes, I keep a list).

MOVIES (in no particular order except the first one)

  1. Night of the Hunter
  1. 12 Angry Men
  2. There Will Be Blood
  3. Make Way For Tomorrow
  4. Aguirre: The Wrath of God
  5. Bronson
  6. Children of Men
  7. Punishment Park
  8. Paths of Glory
  9. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
  10. M
  11. Scum
  12. The Man Who Would Be King
  13. Russian Ark
  14. Coriolanus (2011)
  15. Culloden
  16. Rear Window
  17. Waterloo
  18. Ran
  19. Tree of Life
  20. Joyeux Noel
  21. Goodbye, Mr. Chips
  22. Air Force One (guilty pleasure)
  23. Grave of the Fireflies
  24. Coraline

TV SHOWS (in no particular order)

  1. To Serve Them All My Days
  1. Game of Thrones
  2. Hamish MacBeth
  3. Community
  4. Parade's End
  5. Breaking Bad
  6. Downtown Abbey
  7. Rome
  8. Parks and Recreation
  9. Battlestar Galactica (new version)

Music?

ORCHESTRAL/INSTRUMENTAL (no order)

  1. Verdi
  1. Vaughan-Williams
  2. Beethoven
  3. Arvo Part
  4. Yann Tiersen
  5. Dvorak
  6. Saint-Saens
  7. Mozart
  8. Bear McCreary
  9. Mahler

OTHER (no order)

  1. Neko Case
  1. Sigur Ros
  2. Led Zeppelin
  3. Iris DeMent
  4. Rasputina
  5. Bob Dylan
  6. Explosions in the Sky
  7. Velvet Underground
  8. Muse
  9. Stan Rogers

Books?

FICTION (no order except the first)

  1. Victor Hugo - Les Miserables
  1. Gustave Flaubert - Salammbo
  2. Georges Perec - Life: A User's Manual
  3. Jorge Luis Borges - Labyrinths
  4. Alejo Carpentier - The Kingdom of this World
  5. Alexander Solzhenitsyn - One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
  6. Saki - Collected Works
  7. Gustave Flaubert - Bouvard & Pecuchet
  8. Ray Bradbury - The Illustrated Man
  9. George R.R. Martin - A Storm of Swords
  10. G.K. Chesterton - The Napoleon of Notting Hill
  11. Stephen King - Night Shift
  12. Stephen Leacock - Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town
  13. Tim O'Brien - The Things They Carried
  14. C.S. Lewis - The Great Divorce
  15. Katherine Mansfield - Collected Stories
  16. Flannery O'Connor - The Complete Stories
  17. Adolfo Bioy Casares - The Invention of Morel
  18. J.G. Ballard - The Concrete Island
  19. George R. Stewart - The Earth Abides
  20. Max Brooks - World War Z
  21. Jean Raspail - The Camp of the Saints
  22. C.S. Lewis - That Hideous Strength
  23. Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game
  24. Patrick Rothfuss - The Name of the Wind

NON-FICTION (no order)

  1. Robert B. Cialdini - Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
  1. Jacques Ellul - Propaganda: The Formation of Men's Attitudes
  2. Walter Bagehot - The English Constitution
  3. John Terraine - The Smoke and the Fire: Myths and Anti-Myths of War, 1861-1945
  4. H.P. Lovecraft - Supernatural Horror in Literature
  5. Ezra Pound - The ABC of Reading
  6. Stephen King - On Writing
  7. Richard Holmes - Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front, 1914-1918
  8. Theodore Dalrymple - Life at the Bottom
  9. John Carey - The Intellectuals and the Masses: Pride and Prejudice Among the Literary Intelligentsia 1880-1939

IN-FIELD CREATIVE (no order)

  1. Frederic Manning - The Middle Parts of Fortune
  1. Rebecca West - The Return of the Soldier
  2. Ford Madox Ford - The Parade's End Tetralogy
  3. Ernst Jünger - Storm of Steel
  4. Bernard Newman - The Cavalry Went Through
  5. Timothy Findley - The Wars
  6. Rudyard Kipling - "Mary Postgate"
  7. C.S. Forester - The General
  8. Donald Jack - The Bandy Papers Series
  9. Siegfried Sassoon's War Poems

IN-FIELD CRITICAL/HISTORICAL (no order)

  1. Janet K. Watson - Fighting Different Wars: Experience, Memory and the First World War in Britain
  1. Brian Bond - Survivors of a Kind: Memoirs of the Western Front
  2. Richard Holmes - Tommy: The British Soldier on the Western Front, 1914-1918
  3. Gary Sheffield - Forgotten Victory: The First World War, Myths and Realities
  4. William Philpott - Bloody Victory: The Sacrifice on the Somme and the Making of the Twentieth Century
  5. Cyril Falls - The War Books: A Critical Guide
  6. John Terraine - The Smoke and the Fire: Myths & Anti-Myths of War, 1861-1945
  7. Emma Hanna - The Great War on the Small Screen: Representing the First World War in Contemporary Britain
  8. Dan Todman - The Great War: Myth and Memory
  9. Holger Herwig - The First World War: Germany and Austria-Hungary

Games?

I really don't have time to play any, but when I was younger I sank an unseemly number of hours into Age of Empires II.

What is your favorite word or expression?

I'm not really sure how to answer this.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Dry humour. I'm talking humour so dry that it takes you a week to be sure that a joke was even told in the first place, and then the most it gets out of you is a wry smile.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

  • Inattentive walkers on public/shared walkways.
  • Historiography beholden primarily to the opinions of 1960s writers.

What was the best thing about the last year?

My now-girlfriend and I finally realized what we meant to each other.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

  • Finishing my PhD
  • Man of Steel (I almost put this first)

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

That one time, and that one time only, I would not have had that last shot of tequila as I walked out the door.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Old times: During a trip to my campus bookstore in the second year of my undergrad I happened to turn my head to the right and see a copy of Frank Miller's 300 on the bookshelf, which I then purchased. I owe most of my current success to that turn of the head and that purchase.

Recently: I wrote a blog post about my dismay at a WWI miniseries the BBC had commissioned for November of 2014; it ended up being read by one of the biggest WWI historians in Britain, who wrote to the BBC's director of historical programming, who subsequently got in touch with me for some reason to reassure me that the BBC's programming would be more nuanced and complicated than initial reports suggested. He (the historical director) went even farther in offering that historian and the TV series' screenwriter a debate about the war. I don't even know how it all happened.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

The truth.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

My initials. I was not a clever man when I signed up.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

This one and two novelty accounts -- neither of them did very well, though.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

/r/BirdsWithArms. No apologies.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Lots of things. The main thing is sleep, but there's plenty else.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

/r/AskHistorians, primarily. It's pretty much the only place on Reddit (after /r/BirdsWithArms) that I visit daily, and if the rest of Reddit were to vanish I wouldn't mind at all. During the time I've been a mod there we've increased from 3 mods to 16, and from something like 10,000 subscribers to 140,000.

The main thing I like about it is the thing in which I'm involved: the strict, merciless moderation. We were voted "best moderation team of 2012" (as well as "best big community", but that's less important to us), and we hope to continue living up to that. Many other subs believe in a laissez-faire philosophy of moderation that takes up- and downvotes as the most reliable indicator of quality; we do not agree.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Not especially.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Even given my answer above, I also think that it never changes for the better.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Sure!

  • /r/AskHistorians -- The best subreddit that exists.
  • Wellington House -- My WWI blog
65 Comments
2013/05/24
15:43 UTC

457

Unidan, Redditor of the Day, and Supreme Overload of all things Reddit - May 22nd, 2013!!

#/u/Unidan

##Stats:

A/S/L and do I love where you live?

Relationship Status?

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Tough one. I'm going to have to go with dogs, just because their evolution with humans is incredible. We share so much in common and dogs seem to genuinely love people. That said, I love cats because you can quite literally characterize them as human parasites. They exploit us incredibly well.

Favorite beverage?

I really enjoy cold brewed black coffee. Here's the recipe I use. For the coffee itself, I prefer single source, fair-trade, shade grown Costa Rican coffee beans: fresh ground, of course. Typing that out made me realize what a gigantic snob I am.

I recently made my own coffee-infused bourbon, too! Here it is being served from it's proper container: a glass revolver.

Food?

Too many to choose, so I'm going to think of the two more disparate food items I like. Let's go with slow-cooked corned beef and kumquats.

Favorite Movies/TV Shows?

I'm a gigantic Tarantino fan, and have relatively encyclopedic knowledge of the Simpsons. People will claim to know the Simpsons, but no, seriously, I know the Simpsons. Seriously.

Books?

I love a lot of environmental authors, such as Bill McKibben ("Eaarth"), Derrick Jensen ("Strangely Like War") and even Cormac McCarthy ("The Road"), but I'm also a fan of pop-science books by Mary Roach ("Stiff," "Bonk"). Also, I'm a big fan of The Song of Ice and Fire series, of course. Also also, anything about dystopian futures, so throw 1984 in there, too.

Games?

I play a whole bunch of games with former college friends still as a way to keep in touch! Right now, we've moved from Borderlands 2 back to Minecraft. I recently built an automated machine to continuously rain flaming arrows on my friend's town for fun.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Someone recently made a mistake in my lab and said they "picked a whole bouquet of oopsie-daisies," which made me laugh, so let's say that, instead of trying to find something profound.

My favorite quote is by Jack Handey: "If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason."

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

I'm a big proponent of improv comedy. I used to run the comedy group at my university and still perform occasionally with the group or its old members and alumni. We were actually just accepted into the Del Close Marathon in NYC, so if you're in the area, come check us out!

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People chewing with their god damned mouths open. It sounds like a wild baboon with a mouthful of party-poppers to me. Ugh.

What was the best thing about last year?

I finally replaced the compact car I had been driving for nearly a decade. Did you know that new cars have automatic windows? Also, behind the front pair of doors, there's often a second pair of doors for people to use?

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I'm teaching a new course next semester in upper-level ecology! I'm excited to finally teach something that is my main focus. I also just got a pre-proposal accept by the NSF, so I'm hoping that my grant gets fully funded, too!

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I would tell my father to get checked for kidney cancer before it was too late. I think of him every day, and miss him dearly, he died two years ago this May 1st.

A butterfly flaps its wings...

Haha, the one that comes to mind was actually on Reddit! I was procrastinating writing up a manuscript and decided to do an AMA (which is still going on, by the way), the response was so positive that it actually ended up getting picked up by the news! I woke up to my friends texting me and making fun of me. The nearly constant outpouring of support and positivity is so great, I absolutely love it.

It also marks the absolute peak of my ability to procrastinate. I procrastinated so hard that independent news reporters wrote about it.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Aside from my SO, just so I don't give a super cliched answered, I'd say "scope."

Lots of people do their jobs, but rarely take a break to appreciate things, or to stand back and admire something without overthinking things. Even problems, like heartbreak, are incredible to think about from a new perspective. Realizing that there are biological mechanisms, chemicals and neurotransmitters that our bodies have evolved over millions of years to cause physical pain over a lost relationship is amazing, in its own way.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Way back when I first got the internet, pre-AOL, my father and I were on the phone and were prompted to give a "handle" to use on the internet. My dad looked down at the phone he was using, which was a "Uniden" phone, and simply said that. I cleverly changed the "e" to an "a."

Total number of reddit identities you've had?

Just this one!

What do you do when you're not on reddit?

I teach biology classes, do research on wild bird populations and study urban ecosystems. For fun, I go hiking, do comedy shows with friends and cook (I was a cook for years before becoming a biologist). I also love playing around with my camera!

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about these communities do you like?

Haha, the only one I think I have ever started was /r/gonewanton, which is a Victorian spoof of /r/gonewild that I made as a joke. I think people legitimately still post there!

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Absolutely. More and more people are using it, so the demographics are becoming a bit more normalized. There's much less of a technical aspect to it, though the remnants of that reddit are still very much visible! A lot of people complain, but I think they just need to take a look into the more specific subs. Personally, I've never had a problem with the influx of new people: it's inevitable when things become popular! If anything, it allows for a whole new set of opinions to flourish and come to light!

##Final Question:

Anything to plug/promote/advocate?

Sure! If you like my biology-related posts, feel free to check out my blog: The Ecology!

Also, if you enjoy the videos I post, my YouTube channel has a whole slew of videos, too!

As for things to advocate: I am always behind education. It's a key proponent and driver for nearly everything in society. Be a critical thinker! God, I felt lame saying that.

296 Comments
2013/05/22
14:06 UTC

20

Addyct, Redditor of the Day, May 21st, 2013!!

#/u/Addyct

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

25/peen/Louisville, KY (also known Loo-uh-vul or HOME OF THE NATIONAL FUCKING CHAMPIONS)

Relationship Status?

Everyone loves me.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

I live with some cats and a dog, none of which are mine, and I'm not their biggest fan except this little girl, I kinda like her.

Favorite beverage?

Tea, specifically Green Tea. Specifically the quality loose leaf variety, none of that shitty bagged nonsense. (if you ever get into drinking loose leaf, buy yourself an Ingenuitea or something similar. It's so, so worth it.)

Food?

Historically, Barbecue ribs. Right now, whatever doesn't make my fat ass grow any more (I've been reading a lot of /r/fatpeoplestories...)

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Game of Thrones is my current favorite. My favorite movie is Garden State because it stuck a personal cord with me. My favorite movie that I can tell people about without being made fun of is Lord of the Rings Extended Edition. Yes, I consider them all one 11 hour movie. It's more of a weekend watch.

Music?

I listen to the Radiohead and Bright Eyes stations on Pandora quite a lot, so that general genre. I'll probably be spinning this new Daft Punk record quite a bit, though. so funky...

Books?

I don't read enough. I mean, technically I read all day long, but very few of those letters are in a book.

Games?

The original Bioshock is my favorite gaming experience ever. I haven't played in months, but I've played WoW since it came out and have raided in every expansion. Pandaria was pretty fun.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Schadenfreude.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

...funny things? I'm not sure really. I laugh at modmail quite frequently nowadays, does that count?

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Since my little sister got a puppy, I'd have to say stepping in something wet has become my biggest pet peeve.

^^^I ^^^hate ^^^puppies.

What was the best thing about the last year?

This was pretty damn nice

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Losing the extra 60 pounds that I walk around with. I've finally decided that I want to know what I actually look like when I'm not smuggling a toddler in my gut.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Treat High School classes like they actually mattered, and maybe actually focus on the whole college thing. IF YOU'RE READING THIS AND YOU'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL, GO GET EVERY DAMN SCHOLARSHIP YOU CAN. SERIOUSLY.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I once complimented a girl's hair in high school in the lunch room. A decade later, she told me she was planning on committing suicide later that day and that little compliment somehow snapped her out of it. She's married with a couple kids now. I've never actually told anyone that...

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My Family and those I consider my Family.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

It's a mixture of "Addict" and my nickname, Addy. It's my gamer tag I came up with long ago and I thought it was cool.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Other than one-off throwaways for those times I admitted to those prostitute murders, I've only ever used /u/Addyct

What is your favorite part of reddit?

The fact that, despite spending a lot of time on this site for years now, I still find small, thriving communities for things I didn't even know existed.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

wait for the internet to start working again.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

A few.

My favorite is /r/CollegeBasketball. I've been a CBB fan my entire life, and r/CBB is the only place I've found on the internet where I can actually discuss the topic in a reasonable, intelligent way. I adore the place.

/r/AllHail is my baby. My beloved university lacked a subreddit, and I'm determined to help build one it deserves.

The cringe subs are terrible. I think they are the worst cesspools on reddit, for various reasons. I said as much in a comment on ToR or somewhere and this caused the other mods to come to me and ask that I help moderate them because "that's exactly the type of person we want to help fix it"

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Absolutely. To what extent, I'm not sure. Eternal September and all that.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Absolutely not. To what extent, I'm not sure. Eternal September and all that.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

If you attend or care in any way about the University of Louisville, please go subscribe to /r/AllHail.

If you care at all about College Basketball and you have a twitter account, go follow @reddit_cbb. The other mods and I promise to actually use it more.

Also, I wish more people would use the Reddit room on turntable.fm. http://turntable.fm/reddit

50 Comments
2013/05/21
16:05 UTC

40

Mr_Majorly, redditor of the day May 15, 2013

#/u/Mr_Majorly

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

41/M/ Northern Ohio somewhere. There's a reason we all say "Stuck in Ohio". I miss Florida (Former Navy).

Relationship Status?

Married for 22 years almost, together for 25 to my H.S. Sweetheart.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs? Cats, Meet Jett (and Fish)

Favorite beverage?

40oz Yuengling in a frosted glass!

Food?

Chicken Alfredo!

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Anything that starts with "Star", be it Trek, Wars, Gate... etc. And of course Doctor Who!

Music?

Ozzy fan since I was 12

Books?

Frank Herbert's Dune series and the L. Ron Hubbard dekalogy (10 books) "Mission Earth" (Before he went all Scientology)

Games?

Any RPG style, including MMORPG's. Also huge fan of text based games from back in the day. (Dragonrealms, look it up)

What is your favorite word or expression?

The one I do when I run into a spider web... and Frak!

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

My 4 sons... and Michelle Bachmann.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

If my wife forgets folded laundry on the bed when I try to go to sleep. (I swear, that's it though!)

What was the best thing about the last year?

My father came to stay with me for 2 weeks from Arizona. He passed away this past February.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Comiccon in Philly. Never been to one, and no I don't dress up.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I would probably have spent the extra money on the 2 extra cylinders. I can fix that I suppose.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

A simple hello to the cute brunette with green eyes in the lunch room That's her on the left.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My wife and 4 sons.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Hrm... it's kind of my real name... sort of.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Two. Everyone has a throwaway, yes?

What is your favorite part of reddit?

The diversity in everyone! There is so much to explore! And /r/williamshatner of course!

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Work as an electrical engineer... or play darts at the pub with my wife.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

/r/politics, /r/polticaldiscussion, /r/ask_poltics, and of course, /r/williamshatner!! The other mods in all of them. I very much enjoy our conversations in backrooms and modmails... etc. Oh.. and /u/williamshatner!

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

It's either getting a younger and younger crowd, or I'm getting older. I'm not sure which? By the way GET OFF MY LAWN!

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

No one can judge that from a single point of view. Better for who?

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

2 things... Multiple Sclerosis Dreams. it's like "Make a Wish" but for people with MS. And... I don't know, maybe... /r/williamshater!

In closing, I'll leave you with my favorite rage comics I've submitted to from f7u12.

59 Comments
2013/05/15
14:35 UTC

30

Bagonuts, Redditor of the day, May 14th, 2013!!!

#/u/Bagonuts

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

late 20's / male / Raleigh, NC. I love Raleigh! Plenty to do, but without the hustle of a big city. Being 3 hours from the Outer Banks in one direction and 3 hours from the Appalachian Mountains in the other is great! I could do without the humidity in the summer months, though.

Relationship Status?

Married to my high school sweetheart! We've been together for over 10 years. She was way out of my league (and still is), so I held onto her.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs. Here is mine. She's a goof!

Favorite beverage?

Tea. Hot or iced, black or green... but usually iced. Being in the south, a lot of restaurants put waaaay too much sugar in their iced tea, so that's kind of pain.

Food?

I love so many different types of food that I think it would be easier to just say my least favorite: Applesauce. Don't know why, but even the smell makes me want to gag. I love apples -- raw, in pie, dipped in peanut butter, even dried -- but for some reason I'm just repulsed by Applesauce. I mean, come on, just look at it... Gross! Don't worry, I'm not this bad.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Huge Star Wars fan ever sense I was a kid. Still have the original's on VHS, even though they've been played so many times the picture quality is god awful. I've started watching a lot more TV since I graduated college, thanks to the internet and Netflix. LOST, 24, Breaking Bad, Battlestar Galactica, and Dexter probably rank among my favorite. I can sometimes get sucked into reality shows too, which I'm not proud to admit.

Music?

All kinds. Classical, rock, pop, country, folk, jazz, whatever. Not much rap, but just about everything else. New stuff excites me. When I hear a song or piece I haven't heard before that really grabs me, the feeling is almost euphoric. Preforming feels even better (when you nail it). I grew up playing the piano and became an avid percussionist in school, so music has certainly played a big part in my life.

Books?

Non-fiction. Mostly American history. If I had to pick one I would go with "The Real George Washington" by Jay A. Parry and Andrew M. Allison. "Freakonomics" by Steven D. Levitt would probably be the runner-up. Great reads.

Games?

I like card games. Poker, Hearts, Spades, etc. I used to play video games a ton but have backed off a lot (boo adulthood). Star Wars: Tie Fighter was the game that got me into PC gaming, and that seems like forever ago... I think the game even came on floppy disks! These days Battlefield 3 takes up most of my game time.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Poop.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Dumb, juvenile comedy. Keeps me from taking things too seriously. I also tend to laugh when I'm frustrated. I suppose it helps me cope with it.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I do a lot of commuting for my job, so bad driving is something that really tends to bug me, especially aggressive drivers. Tailgating, weaving in-and-out of traffic, serious speeding, and just overall reckless driving... Thousands of deaths ever year could be prevented if everyone on the roads just chilled out drove like they value their life more than being 5 minutes late. More American drivers need to watch this video.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Becoming a home owner! I love my home, and my neighborhood.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

New opportunities in my career. I work in the healthcare industry, and my line of work is experiencing increased demand.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Putting more effort into getting scholarships for college. I tell everyone that I know that's in college now or getting ready to go to apply for every scholarship you can. Free money is great, and paying off student debt is no fun. My debt is manageable, and I'll have them paid off in just a few more years, but it sure would be nice to be able to put those hundreds of dollars every month towards something else...

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I love doing Habitat for Humanity builds. Building homes for people, and with the people that are going to live in them, is extremely rewarding work. I know the work would probably get done with out me, but I like to think that I play a small part. I'm no contractor, or carpenter, or electrician, or plumber, but give me a tool and instruct me what to do and I'll do it.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Family.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

I was eating out of a bag of trail mix when I was browsing reddit and decided to make an account. BagOnuts is just the first thing that came to mind.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

One.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

the comment sections. I love discussion and debate. Sure, there is a lot of crap, but as opposed to other places, I've had some really insightful and meaningful discussions.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Spend time with my wife and family, play with the dog, go downtown, hang out with friends. I'm learning how to play the harmonica right now, so that's been eating up a good chunk of time. Here's a great lesson that got me started.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

/r/politics and r/political discussion. /r/PoliticalDiscussion has some really good discussions. It's probably one of the most balanced subs in terms of political viewpoints of users. It's one of the few places that isn't /r/Conservative or /r/Libertarian that I can express my political views, have meaningful discussions, and not get downvoted into oblivion for just stating my viewpoint. I can't really say the same for /r/Politics, but that's just the demographics of it, I suppose.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Somewhat. I think the quality of some of the default subreddits have gradually slipped, but fortunately that's lead to smaller subs rising up into the spotlight.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Somewhat. Like I said previously, Reddit's mass popularity has lead to the rise of some great non-default subs. Some subreddits like IAmA have really benefited from Reddit's popularity. The fact that we can get a president of the US to do a freaking AMA is amazing.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Nope! Thanks for having me!

50 Comments
2013/05/14
11:37 UTC

43

Ktrout17, redditor of the day, May 10th, 2013!

#/u/Ktrout17

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

30-Something, New Englander. Life is good up here, if you're into mountains, good food and craft beer.

Relationship Status?

Legally binding.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Growing up, we had a coon hound and a siamese cat. After those two moved on, we had a chocolate lab and a beagle, and then two more cats, and then we raised two of the cats those other two made...

Cats are fine, but I'm a dog person. We have a 3 year old mutt shepherd pound puppy. People who don't enjoy dogs concern me.

Favorite beverage?

I live on coffee, water, beer, and wine. And vodka. Give me the hoppiest IPA you can find and I'm happy. Heady Topper, as a Vermonter I'm proud to see we managed to take over the #1 spot on BeerAdvocate.com's top 250 not too long ago.

Food?

The Reuben is the one true sandwich.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

True Romance would have to be my all-time favorite film. Quentin Tarantino writes a better screenplay than anyone out there, not enough people appreciate this film. Christopher Walken interrogating Dennis Hopper is one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history.

Honorable mention to: The Jerk, Run Ronnie Run, Raising Arizona, Scorsese, Christopher Guest, and Woody Allen.

For TV I grew up on Seinfeld, the Simpsons, X-Files and Northern Exposure. Then, The Sopranos, The Wire, Fringe, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Currently, Shameless, Game of Thrones, Parks & Rec, and House of Lies. And Jeopardy every night.

Music?

I’m a degenerate Phish fan. But Primus, Sublime, Hendrix, Pantera, Grateful Dead, The Clash, NoFX, Bad Religion, John Lee Hooker...just about anything but that country twang.

Books?

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series is probably the top of my list. I found an old beat-to-hell paperback copy of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe in a Ground Round parking lot when I was about 10, and I re-read them all every few years. Many years later, after a fellow redditor said 'No please don't', I created r/vogonpoetrycircle.

But Kurt Vonnegut is the best writer out there. Dry sardonic humor, and most everything he said was simply put and vaguely profound. Everyone should probably read everything he's written.

I also have a weakness for Stephen King. Growing up, me and my dad would read every King novel that we could get our hands on.

And Hunter S. Thompson, Cormac McCarthy, Chuck Palahniuk, Mark Twain, Isaac Asimov, and Michael Crichton. Also others.

Games?

I've lost my gaming mojo over the last few years, I grew up obsessing over anything Tim Schafer; mostly Grim Fandango, Day of the Tentacle, and Monkey Island II.

I've spent years of my life at the poker table, and play some rummy, cribbage, and Risk. And as much disc golf as I can manage.

What is your favorite word or expression?

“Hey”. I use it constantly to acknowledge, without engaging, random people throughout my life.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Dry wit and jokes with some depth. Good humor should make a good point by taking something we overlook and exaggerating it to the point of absurdity.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People. Specifically:

  • When they don't pay attention during a movie.
  • When I'm reading and they're doing something around me.
  • When they leave 00:01 on the microwave.
  • When they forget to remind me about something I specifically asked them to remind me of.
  • When they wear looney tunes T-shirts in public.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Finally getting my parents to Fenway Park was pretty nice.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Same thing I look forward to every year. A week of camping with some friends for the 4th of July, out on an island just off the coast. It's my only good excuse to bust out my America shorts.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I'd have done some internships during college. Graduating with no experience makes it tough to claw your way up the resume pile when you're up against people who have actually done the job already.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

My old college no longer allows students to use rocks or cinder blocks as doorstops in the dorms, because I was a moron. Which I assume has saved countless lives since implemented.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Being good to good people and letting the rest be.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Kurt Vonnegut’s alter ego Kilgore Trout, and my old baseball jersey number.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

I’ve had lots of one night stands, two semi-regulars, but mostly just this one.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

The community. Some of you people are really good people. And there's someone around every corner that can teach you way too much about any random thing you'd ever like to know, if you look in the right places.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

My usual routine on a day off is grabbing a coffee, heading to the dog park, wandering over to the used book store, and then finding a deck to drink a pint and enjoy a meal of food.

Other than that, I play some disc golf, read, go hiking, watch baseball or listen to it on the radio.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

r/fantasybaseball, r/vogonpoetrycircle, r/politics

I took over r/fantasybaseball a few years ago, and it’s grown from 50 to 6,000 pretty quickly, and I’m just starting to draw in some regular writers and “baseball experts” to do some random IAmA style things. And I’m a fantasy baseball addict, so they may not realize it but really I’m just using them to feed me good info all day long.

r/politics is tedious business, but I do enjoy a good heated political discussion, and the modmail’s entertaining enough to make it all worthwhile.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yes it’s very busy.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

I'm sure pros probably outweigh the cons.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

No I think we’re done here.

161 Comments
2013/05/10
12:57 UTC

39

Ooer, redditor of the day, May 8, 2013

/u/Ooer

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

I became a 23 year old dude today (I was a dude before too). I live in the original York in the UK. I like being here a lot, it has less stuff going on than the updated version but the people are friendly and the history is amazing.

Relationship Status?

I have a very special girlfriend (by special I mean she has not questioned why she is still with me yet). She is slightly in America currently but we are working on that.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs. Some cats can be friendly, but nothing can outmatch the pure excitement and love dogs show for the most mundane of things.

Favorite beverage?

Any milkshake that is thick enough to pop a few blood vessels when attempting to drink it through a straw. Smoothies are pretty tasty also

Food?

A Full English Breakfast, in all it's glory

Favorite movies/tv shows?

I've recently lost my Firefly virginity and I am still experiencing the euphoria stage. The sadness will kick in when I realise there is no more. Please don't tell me that. Please. I think I am the typical redditor with my top picks, Breaking Bad, Community, Archer, Adventure Time etc. All the mods of /r/redditoroftheday smell! (This is just to check to see if they read my answers :P)

##Music?

I like Drum & Bass in a big way, as well as a lot of EDM. The UK is a great place to be for all this too!

Books?

I'm keeping quiet about my current read as I have got this far without seeing a spoiler. However, no story has had so involved as Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' trilogy.

Games?

I like pausing conversations halfway through until the other person feels so awkward they leave. Oh, you mean video games? Minecraft, TF2, GTA series, Fallout, TES & Tribes Ascend!

What is your favorite word or expression?

Flapjacks


##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Good British comedy. Peep show, IT Crowd, Spaced, Black Books. The American Office is pretty amazing however.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Within reddit I would say people addressing others as 'Sir' and 'dude'. How do you know? Stop making assumptions, other people are here too!

What was the best thing about the last year?

Cheesy as hell, but meeting my girlfriend for the first time. Also I had a really good burger one time too, that was pretty good.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Meeting the missus again. Oh man I wonder if I can find an even tastier burger! (For reference, I had my first ever In-N-Out in 2012, my tastebuds were not ready. Any suggestions to even better burgers are welcome!)

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I'm not going to go all Karl Pilkington here, but who knows what could be different if I did that. I only exist because a duck could not swim (long story). If I had to pick one, I would play safe and choose to have had three weetabix this morning rather than two, I was a little hungry slightly before lunch.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I just mentioned this! Well there is that duck, but that was not me! I guess buying a little indie game whilst it was still in alpha has changed my whole world as I know it now. Woo Minecraft!

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

That's deep. To me it would be knowing my friends and family are all well. I mean, I want the rest of the world to be like that too, but you gotta break a few eggs, Y'know? (I don't know what that actually means)


##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

It's kinda a British thing, urban dictionary offers this meaning. I picked it out of the blue when trying to think of a four letter Xbox gamertag that was a word, for some reason it was not taken anywhere so I have stuck with it since.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Just this one! Well actually I made /u/0oer to stop people trying to be me but that does not count.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Probably /r/AskHistorians, it's a really well moderated sub with a lot of interesting questions and answers.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Lego! Fuck yes.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

A few. /r/IAmA is an amazing example of how a basic platform can be adapted to a completely new role within the world, I don't think there is anything else like it. Don't go to /r/Ooer.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

It's got busier, but it's not changed much in the last year.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

The hivemind waits for us all.


Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Not really, don't check out /r/Ooer

75 Comments
2013/05/08
12:40 UTC

28

HandicapperGeneral, Redditor of the day, May 3, 2013!

#/u/HandicapperGeneral

##Stats:

A/S/L?

21/M/Missoula, Montana

Relationship Status?

Single. I think. Kind of? Ask her.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs, and anyone who says otherwise is a dirty communist.

Favorite beverage?

Hard Cider. Don't judge me. I CAN FEEL YOU JUDGING ME.

Food?

Fondue, definitely. It punishes me afterward, but oh it’s so worth it.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

TV Shows: Doctor Who, Community, Luther, and Downton Abbey. Movies: Scott Pilgrim, Monsters, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Music?

Ooh, that's a tough one. I'm an indie guy, and I don't really have a favorite band, I have about a hundred. A few notables: The Neighbourhood, Blondfire, Youngblood Hawke, The XX, AWOLNATION, and Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton.

Books?

A Song of Ice and Fire (duh), a bunch of others too, but I really like to read old myths, Norse gods and such. Edith Hamilton’s Mythology is always a good one to pass the time.

Games?

D&D, Halo (all of them), and Assassin’s Creed. I’ve been an Xbox guy for years, but I was N64 before that.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Mamihlapinatapai – “A look shared by two people, each wishing that the other will offer something that they both desire but are unwilling to suggest or offer themselves”

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Humor. Preferably the humorous kind.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

You COULDN’T care less, dammit! If you COULD care less, that would imply a level of caring less than what you currently feel!

What was the best thing about the last year?

Meh. Could’ve used more lens flares.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

New town, new job, new peoples. Everything gets to be better.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I guess I would do over choosing my college. I chose the wrong one, and it kinda screwed me over for a few years.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I may or may not have caused Hurricane Sandy by masturbating. YOU CAN’T PROVE ANYTHING.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Oh man, that’s deep bro. Lemme think for a second. Also, ignore the fact that this medium renders that statement pointless. Hmm… Hmm… Knowledge, I suppose. Without knowledge we are no greater than apes. Shittier actually, apes are way stronger than us.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

It’s a character in a Kurt Vonnegut short story, Harrison Bergeron (read it here). The Handicapper General is a person who is dedicated to creating equality among the people by handicapping anyone who is above average. I took the username sort of ironically/sort of as a statement/because I like Vonnegut.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Including current alts? Uh… seven? Yeah, I think seven.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

A few years ago, I would have said the community. Now, I think I'd say the mod community is great to be a part of, and also I love the range of content available on the site.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I’m a software developer. So, I sit on a computer and talk to the same people that were just on reddit like me. But since I live in Montana, I’m legally required to also ski and hike when seasonally appropriate.

What subreddits, if any, do you moderate. What about those communities do you like?

I’m a fairly prolific moderator, my list of subreddits is pretty long, so I’ll give you the highlight reel. My biggest and favorite subreddits are /r/ReactionGifs and /r/EarthPorn. Reaction gifs is great, because it gives people the opportunity to really express their emotions and reactions over the internet, which is a feature that’s been sorely lacking in the medium for a long time. EarthPorn may be the greatest subreddit on reddit. It’s got a friendly community, and the content is just always awesome. If I had changed my background in the last two years, I would have definitely gotten it from EarthPorn.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Obviously. Everything changes. Everything is fluid, and if you don’t agree, you’re a moron, because it’s not a matter of opinion. It’s a fact of life.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Some people might say so, but I know a lot more that would say not. I try to stay out of the bigger subreddits, so the changes haven’t affected me as much. I won’t try to pretend to have a full grasp of the scope of changes, but I will say this, reddit is getting bigger. Much bigger. The world at large is taking notice of us, and it is starting to affect the way we do our business. We have had to crack down on some of the shadier areas and iffy dealings. And I think that’s wrong. Don’t start claiming that I support /r/Jailbait, because I don’t. What I do support is a certain level of freedom. We are supposed to have a degree of autonomy within our subreddits, and because the world at large didn’t like something someone was doing, it got shut down, even though there was nothing technically wrong with it. Over the coming months and years, you’ll find things like this happening more and more. Reddit will pander more to the incoming crowd, and we will find our natural habitat shrinking, until we are left with nowhere to go but out. That’s what I think is happening, but I truly hope it isn’t.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Well, obviously I want to promote my subreddits. Check out the SFWPorn Network over at /r/PornOverlords, and head over to /r/ReactionGifs for a giffy good time. I want to give a shout-out to my local subreddit, that I was just recently added to mod team of, /r/Missoula, Home of the Griz. If you’re a Missoulian, make sure to enter our banner contest. And lastly, one of my very favorite subreddits, the gents over at /r/Wicked_Edge are wonderful. If you’re tired of rough and uncomfortable shaves with your cartridge razor, try wet shaving. We can give you some great tips and advice, and even some deals on your equipment.

113 Comments
2013/05/03
17:46 UTC

56

Grand Re-opening!

Hello to all of our lovely subscribers to the redditor of the day subreddit.

As you all may have noticed, we have taken a break from keeping this subreddit going. We needed to fix some processes and take a little vacation. Sorry to disappoint.

However, we have decided to get this subreddit going again! We would love to have nominations, people involved in the daily questions or anything else you might think this subreddit needs.

We hope that you guys are as excited as we are!

Thank you to all of the redditors who have made this place special and we are excited to get to know new redditors and have a good time. Thank you for your patience in waiting for us to get our act together.

Let's do this!

Happy Redditing!

57 Comments
2013/04/27
03:24 UTC

106

Sterling_Mace, redditor of the day, October 11th, 2012!

#Sterling_Mace

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

88, Sex: Male, Location: St. Pete Beach, Florida...and no I don't love where I live but I can stand it. After all, I could be in a carboard box

Relationship Status?

Widower

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs, by far. Cats are too sneaky and I don't like the box that they piss in.

Favorite beverage?

Crystal Lite (with or without the vodka)

Food?

Steak and French Fries w/ Italian string beans.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

I watch a lot of westerns and crime stuff like Hard Evidence. A good friend of mine sent me this show called Breaking Bad and he needs to send me more. There's this British show that comes on Saturday nights called As Time Goes By on PBS. Those are good ones.

Music?

Swing. Still the best music are the tunes when I was a kid.

Books?

I like authors like John Grishom, Carl Hiaasen and Nick Allen

Games?

Charades, Tanasta and the ever popular Spin the Bottle.

What is your favorite word or expression?

"Cut the crap."

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

All the stuff that's not supposed to be too funny like television commercials...and then I sit there and never chuckle at Leno or Dave Letterman. But I love a good joke. All flavors.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Unnecessary slow traffic.

What was the best thing about the last year?

My golf game got better.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Living another year, I guess. You get my age and you're not looking to fall in love or anything. So, yes. I'd like for my book to get out more so that more people can understand about what we did in the Pacific, fighting against the Japanese.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

There's a joke that says "Anything I'd like to do over, I'd do all over you!. Seriously, I'd live in a different part of Florida. This hurricane business gets to you after a while.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I looked at my pecker and said, "Gee I thought you were larger! But really the little finicky drawings I did as a kid really steamrolled and turned into an art career, that turned right into a career managing a theater. So I guess you could say that those small doodles really bloomed into something bigger than myself.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

That my daughter achieves financial success.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

It's my real name. My mother named me Sterling Mace, after some British Navy guy in the Great War, Sterling something-or-other.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Just the one.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Writing to people and reading what they say. I don't even have to be a part of the conversation and read some really interesting things. People and what they do are not so surprising, but this reddit brings to the world what woukld otherwise be behind locked doors just a few years ago.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Sleep, eat, write, and all the other stuff you don't usually mention in mixed company. I'm retired, so really I can do anything I damn well please, within the law, that is.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

I really wouldn't know, because I have only been on for a few months.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Beats me.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Sure, I'd like to plug my book, "BATTLEGROUND PACIFIC: A Marine Rifleman's Combat Odyssey in K/3/5," which came out from St. Martin's Press in May of this year. If I wrote this thing for me, then I'd be a big nothing and a blowhard. I wrote this book for others, however. First for the guys who didn't make it home from that war, and secondly for all the people who care about them. If you want to know who we are, before we're gone, then please be educated.

, Sterling G Mace

54 Comments
2012/10/11
17:00 UTC

30

greatyellowshark, redditor of the day, September 26th, 2012!

#greatyellowshark

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

45, male, Southern California.

Relationship Status?

Married.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cats, if I had to choose, but I like dogs too. We always had a cat when I was growing up, and strays always seemed to find my grandparents' house. My cat Puma was abandoned at a motel in town, and he and I were both lucky to meet each other before he was taken to the pound.

Favorite beverage?

Strong green iced tea, no sweetener.

Food?

At some point I discovered the awesomeness that is Armenian food. Possibly the best Armenian place in the area is Tasty Burger in North Hollywood. The place doesn't look like much but the food is always great.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Movies: The top two might be "Unforgiven" and "A History of Violence". Others that I've seen recently are "Angels of Evil", both halves of the "Mesrine" duology, "The Horde", "Howl", "Winter's Bone", "Hannah", "Chico and Rita", and "Hobo With a Shotgun".

TV: I didn't watch any TV for a long time, then got hooked on The Wire, Dollhouse, Battlestar Galactica, Deadwood, Lost, Firefly, Dexter, The Killing, and Breaking Bad. As well as The Walking Dead, Spartacus, Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy, Lights Out, Boardwalk Empire...probably leaving a few out.

Music?

It all begins and ends with Elvis Presley. That being said, I've been listening to a lot of Zappa lately, I'm a huge Beatles fan, and the scope of what I listen to would be impossible to convey in this space.

Books?

I have a lot of books, close to 2,000. As many as half of them are poetry. Tolkien takes up three shelves, and I have a collection of older Penguins and Pelicans that's getting out of hand. If it's intellectually or creatively stimulating, or jumps out at me in some way, or looks like it belongs, it gets brought home.

Games?

PC: Civilization 2. For an older game it's ridiculous how addictive it is. I'm also slowly working my way through Starcraft 2.

360: Top two - Borderlands and Halo 2. Also Halo Reach, Halo 3. I probably need to diversify.

Meatspace: Spite and Malice, solitaire.

What is your favorite word or expression?

"You're probably way ahead of me on this, but..." right before giving unsolicited advice, a trait that I've inherited from my family, for better or worse. Probably worse.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Hotspur's verbal sparring with Glendower in Act 3, Scene 1 of Henry IV Part 1, and his dialogue with Kate at the end of the scene. Gets me every time.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Apostrophe misuse.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Camping in Joshua Tree with my kids. Now that they're adults and doing their own thing it's harder for all of us to be in the same place at the same time. We froze at night but it was awesome. Being out of cell phone range of the rest of the world for a few days was the first peace and quiet I had had in years.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Going back!

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I would have stayed in school. Dropping out of college was perhaps the greatest fateful decision that influenced my life in the most dramatic way. Working ten times as hard to get by while using a tenth of my formidable brain-power is something I couldn't have foreseen, although at the time the obstacles seemed insurmountable.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I hope I've done or said something that's had that kind of positive impact, at some point in my life, even if I never know about it.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My family. I'm very fortunate to have them in my life.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

The Great Yellow Shark is the nickname of a taxi I drove a few years back. It's a reference to the Great Red Shark in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Frank Zappa had an album called The Yellow Shark, which I didn't realize until it was pointed out to me on reddit, but it's a nice coincidence.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

I created my first account a year ago, made one post that probably ended up in the spam filter and then forgot the password. I've had two others but stopped trying to develop them. However, at the recently created /r/BoobGifs, where my single greatest contribution has been to mention its existence in this interview, I am known as /u/HolyMotherMackerel

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Subreddit creation and moderating. I lurked for a while, but after my kids encouraged me to create an account I realized I could create reddits of my own and that was it. Building up a reddit into part of the community is hugely satisfying to me creatively and intellectually. In the process of growing my own reddits I learned a great deal that I was able to apply to moderating larger reddits in the SFWPorn network, and on from there.

In some ways I really like the rudimentary nature of subreddit discovery. It forces you to build a reddit like a business - hard work, promotion, inspiration, networking, and luck carry the day. Maybe it shouldn't be any easier than that - not that I wouldn't be happy to see /r/JoshuaTree, for example, be many times larger than it is by now. But all the promotion in the world won't help if there isn't activity and good content when people get there.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Work, hike, read, write.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so? If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

I think reddit has gotten better. It's gotten bigger, absolutely, but that means a larger number of people motivated to move past the defaults and into the heart of the site. I think reddit needs both populations, and all the shades of grey in between. There are so many intelligent and creative people that continue to be attracted to the site that I think reddit's going to be okay for a while.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

If you're looking for a location reddit, look no further than the Global List of Local Reddits, a directory I compiled during the creation of /r/ModsOfTheRealms, a club for mods of location reddits. Also, when I got modded at /r/Foxes I was motivated to create Reddit's Animal Kingdom, a list of animal reddits. As far as reddits go: check out /r/MetaHub for a collection of the best posts about reddit; /r/Anger, which is attracting a great community as a self-help reddit for issues of anger management; /r/whoselineisitanyway, a reddit for the TV show that has seen exponential growth recently; /r/crazystairs, vaguely notorious for being NSFW, has amazing images of stairs that are improbable, abandoned, or architecturally interesting; and /r/BobbinLace, the sidebar of which has perhaps the single largest collection of bobbin lace links anywhere on the internet.

In closing, I'd like to thank everybody who gave me a shot at moderating, aided and abetted my various projects, showed me friendship and encouragement, or agreed to be interviewed for Realm of the Week. It's been a great experience so far, and although I've done my best to fly under the radar, being Redditor of the Day is a tremendous honor.

34 Comments
2012/09/26
17:48 UTC

30

Uncoolio, Redditor of the Day September 19th, 2012!

#Uncoolio

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

Name - Nathan Anderson. Male. I'm a standup comic in NYC. I love it, but I value our friendship too much to ruin it with sex..

Relationship Status?

Married. It's not complicated.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

2 cats, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone De Beauvoir, winning me the Pulitzer for “Most Pretentious Hipster Pet Names.”

Favorite beverage?

Coffee, then beer, then milk, then beer again, then alka-seltzer.

Food?

Anything someone makes for me. I'm lazy, but I'm always gracious. I ate a lot of glue and crayons as a kid, so I wasn't really picky.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

The Royal Tenenbaums, King of the Hill, and How it's Made. Plus all of our favorite circlejerks (Breaking Bad, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Arrested Development, Firefly, Community etc. etc.)

Music?

The Flaming Lips, but I'm biased because I grew up in Oklahoma City and Wayne Coyne went to my high school. And The Old 97's.

Books?

1984 and Les Miserables.

Games?

Final Fantasy 6-10, with the exception of 8, which sucks. Team Fortress 2. World of Warcraft. Games with a lot of depth and customization, that can still be played relatively casually.

I like easy games with interesting stories. Basically the opposite of Super Meat Boy, Dark Souls, Binding of Isaac, Eve or Minecraft. I respect that they exist, but I don't play games to hurt myself.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Whatever the last thing was to make me laugh. Don't really care about smart or dumb, I just want to be happy and entertained

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

People getting hit in the head. Every time. I can watch Justin Long take a wrench in the face for hours.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Grammar Nazis and Pedants. Doesn't matter if you're technically right, it's tacky. Don't be that guy.

What was the best thing about the last year?

The amazing response to /r/standupshots, both from reddit and the standup community. It's amazing for promoting live and independent comedy. Redditors get free original content, and comics get to test themselves against the will of the hivemind.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

I want to see reddit challenge twitter as the place for original comedy writing on the internet. Twitter is great for quick notes to a fan base, but reddit is a better platform for displaying OC. Why post content on a blog, shorten the url, tweet it to followers, hope someone puts it on reddit and it hits the front page - when I can just slap it on here myself? All of my friends mess with Tumblrs or blogs. I reach more people with a single good comment in /r/malefashionadvice. Comics are on Tumblr trying to get on reddit. They should be on reddit trying to get on /bestof.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Some regrets, but no do-overs. I've had bad experiences with manipulating temporal mechanics in the past. And the future.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I whined about the downfall of reddit, and posted this status on Facebook: "If anyone's curious about the future of standup comedy on the internet, it's screencaps of comics with a bit written next to them. Because who has time to listen to a 30-second joke?"

That lead a friend to create this image.

That got posted to reddit here..

That got reposted by Portlandia's official Facebook page on Aug. 31. Where 1800 more people liked it, and 250 shared it.

That lead to creating /r/standupshots. Which grew to 7000 subscribers in 2 weeks, attracted comics from all over the world, hit the front page of /r/all multiple times, was named Subreddit of the Day, and featured in the Huffington Post. Which ultimately lead to this interview. So there's that.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My wife, my best friend since we were freshmen in college. Her primary hobbies are watching Doctor Who, playing Mass Effect, and competitive pole-dancing. Also she knocks people out for surgery, and I talk to strangers about my penis – so she's slightly smarter than me.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

I was making a Night Elf hunter in vanilla WoW. As they were universally despised at the time, I wanted a name to reflect that. It just popped into my head. Then when I needed a reddit username that wasn't taken, it seemed appropriate.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Two. This account is very linked with my real identity, so I try to watch what I say. The second account was made to get around that, especially for hot-button debates on controversial issues. However, I eventually found that I didn't like being anonymous. When my real-world reputation is on the line, I have to be more civil, and this forces me to be smarter than I'd be otherwise.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

The exact opposite of many redditors. I love that reddit has dumb people. Because reddit should be for everybody. I learn more from high school dropouts than sophomore CS majors.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Hang out in comedy clubs and bars and tell dick jokes to drunk people who hate me.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

I remember seeing a small subreddit spin off from an Askreddit post, based around the idea of asking someone anything. When IamA was strippers and Wal-Mart managers, I did one about being an unsuccessful standup comic. Two years later, Louie CK was sitting down with reddit. Then the President.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

1000% yes. Ivory towers benefit nobody. Insulting different perspectives doesn't make you smart, it makes you insecure. The amazing thing about Reddit isn't that Obama can do an IamA, it's that Starburns can too, and a Wal-Mart manager and a Juggalo. That's the group of people I want to hang out with.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

/r/standupshots. Read 10 posts, if you're still not a fan, I'll personally refund your subscription fee. Thank you for laughing at us.

Here's a few of our comedians. Thanks folks, we'll be here all week. Try the veal.

29 Comments
2012/09/19
19:06 UTC

25

CUTIEJUDY, Redditor of the Day September 18th, 2012!

#CUTIEJUDY

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

Old Bridge Nj, Quiet lil town

Relationship Status?

Married

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs

Favorite beverage?

Coffee

Food?

Pizza

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Housewifes of new jersey

Music?

Pink Floyd

Books?

..

Games?

..

What is your favorite word or expression?

:]

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

My kids

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When someone leaves the cabinent doors open.

What was the best thing about the last year?

I joined Reddit.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Be more active on Reddit and help more people.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

..

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

..

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My family.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

My mom and daughters names together

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

..

What is your favorite part of reddit?

I love to read the comments others give to help each other.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I volunteer at a few different places.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yes, I have met so many wonderful people.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Yes, I have seen Reddit change peoples lives.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Random Acts of Christmas, & R/Assistance.

57 Comments
2012/09/18
16:15 UTC

23

The_Space_Cowboy, Redditor of the Day August 24th, 2012!

#The_Space_Cowboy

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

Male, Canadian, Beautiful British Columbia Canada

Relationship Status?

Errr, on and off with a lady friend... It's complicated

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

I've got a cat and a puppy, hard to choose between the two

Favorite beverage?

Motherfucking Caramel Milkshakes, that and Tim Hortons Ice Caps... Scotch and Alexander Keiths is good too

Food?

Can't go wrong with pizza and mexican food I say, or chocolate

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Breaking Bad, Dexter, Malcolm in the Middle, Freaks and Geeks and the Lord of the Rings trilogy

Music?

Well, it varies haha, I like pretty much any hip-hop music from the 90's, Tupac, Biggie, Eazy-E, Wu-Tang, N.W.A ect. But I also fell in love with Big Wax about 2 years ago. You really can't go wrong with Radiohead, Van Halen, ZZ Top and Led Zeppelin either though.

Books?

Stephen King is a big one for me, I'm currently plugging through the Roland the gunslinger series (fourth book) and I'm about 1100 pages deep into The Stand. But really there is too many books in my shelf by too many authors to list off

Games?

I went semi-pro back in the Black Ops days and made a few hundred dollars, but now I'm just kicking back and going casual. I love playing anything Bethesda (two achievements from platinum-ing New Vegas and one away from Skyrim) Saints Row 3, Red Dead Redemption, Left for Dead, Halo Reach, Gears of War 3, The Witcher 2 (slogging through my 'Dark' playthrough)

What is your favorite word or expression?

As an insult? Plug i.e You're being a real fucking plug Steve

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Anything late at night (the morning?) The random conversations the I end up having on XBL with friends or in Random Acts Of Pizza, when my friends and I decide to do something ridiculously stupid; and Reddit itself.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

People starting beef out of boredom, or when people put down something you just got because it isn't what they have. Example: I bought a fantastic fucking pair of Sennheisers to celebrate me getting a solid job and the first thing one of my friends does is say "How much did those cost?" "About $175, I got a good deal on them" and I shit you not, he said "Oh those must be shitty, my Studio Beats that cost $350 are much better" ಠ_ಠ

What was the best thing about the last year?

Oh god, lets just say if the world were to end this year I would have lived my life

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Sorting out my future and getting my EMT courses done so I can head down the road to being a Paramedic

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

Just one? I wouldn't have taken shit from anyone when I was a little kid, I would have jumped him after he first layed hands on me

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

...

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

The wellbeing of myself and my peers and making it in this great big world without fucking up too bad

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Ever heard the song The Joker by the Steve Miller Band? 'Some people call me the Space Cowboooooy, some call my the gangster of loooooove' It just kind of snowballed from there, now whenever I go to a site my alias is something to do with the Space Cowboy (Although most people assume its from Cowboy Behop or whatever that is)

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

Just the one, I made an alt but never used it because I didn't have the need to

What is your favorite part of reddit?

All the different subreddits you can go to, there is literally something for everyone here.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Work, game, ski, hockey, friends, school is pretty much my life right now

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Yes, lots and lots of new people. I can't remember exactly but I think I lurked for about 3 months before I made me account. I think /r/funny had about a million subs and it's since doubled and is growing by about 5k subs per day

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Not really, when I first joined I was enthralled with f7u12 and the circlejerk that is atheism. Now I've unsubbed from almost every default subreddit and have gone in search of the small ones. The new users in turn bring more users with them about 90% of the time. And it feels like us oldfags are being pushed back into hiding in the small subreddits

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Love to my friends over at /r/Random_Acts_Of_Pizza and /r/RandomActsOfChristmas If you've got time head on over to /r/getwell which is run by myself and /u/thelovepirate (it's for sending cards to kids and adults in the hospital) /r/TheoryOfReddit always has it's doors open as well. Sennheiser makes great headphones, if you want someone to play Xbox with add 'Downvoted'

Thanks for having me!

42 Comments
2012/08/24
17:37 UTC

24

Hansafan, Redditor of the Day August 21st, 2012!

#Hansafan

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

34/M/Norway. Love my country, not too enamoured by my town.

Relationship Status?

Ludicrously single.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Cats definitely, though I have nothing against dogs. I'd like a cat, but it's not really feasible in my current residence(apartment building). Not against regulations as such, but I don't really like the idea of indoor-only cats.

Favorite beverage?

Beer, by miles. I'm a coffee addict as well.

Food?

Steak. Deer roast or smoked lamb as a tied close second.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

I don't watch TV much at all, nor do I really watch a lot of movies nowadays, but some absolute old-/alltime favourites would be:

Movies:

Monty Python & The Holy Grail + Life of Brian

Lock Stock & 2 Smoking Barrels

Bad Taste

Evil Dead series

LOTR

Star Wars original trilogy

TV:

Monty Python's Flying Circus

Blackadder

Hale&Pace's first two seasons(it went *really downhill from there)

Deadwood

Star Trek TNG

Firefly

South Park

The Simpsons

Music?

My #1 genre is metal in most of its many forms, heavy, doom, death and black metal primarily, though I like stuff ranging from classical to country to electronic to hip-hop.

Books?

Mostly fiction, and mostly fantasy books(LOTR et al), though I've started to drift more and more towards sci-fi as my preferred genre. I like to read history(particularly WWII) books as well, and I like to stick in some Vonnegut, Albert Camus, Kafka and the like so I can pretend I know about literature, seeing as I'm a pretentious cunt.

Some favourite authors:

Terry Pratchett

H. P. Lovecraft

J. R. R. Tolkien

Jens Bjørneboe

Alastair Reynolds

Antony Bevor

Games?

D&D

As for video/computer games, I don't play much anymore, but some that I've had a lot of fun with:

Gran Turismo

Baldur's Gate

Counterstrike

Half-Life

Quake

Doom

What is your favorite word or expression?

"Defenestration" is definitely my favourite word.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Clever puns. And really, really bad puns. Monty Python/british humour in general. I'm partial to dry wit and chuckles, it's exceedingly rare for me to literally laugh out loud.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Anything that reeks of mob mentality/"bandwagon"[whatever]. Whenever people jump on an idea without thinking things through or even trying to see an issue from both sides. There are always two sides.

What was the best thing about the last year?

New income record.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Considering a new truck.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I probably shouldn't have walked out on her. [Not sharing more about that, so don't bother asking]

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

I actually have no idea. Or, my remark that a temp guy we had at work should not be allowed to operate machinery heavier than an electric toothbrush might have helped getting fired, and thus saved a life down the line.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Solitude. I was never a very social person. Don't get me wrong, I like being around people, just not all the people, all the time. Friend of mine asked me: "What do you DO all day?" -"Nothing, really. Browse the web, drink coffee, read..." - "How don't you go insane from not seeing people?" - "I go insane from seeing people."

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Extremely silly. Hansa is my go-to brewery/beer brand, thus I'm a fan of it. I was extremely uncreative the day I signed up. Or drunk, can't remember.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

6, I think. That is if we count throwaways/novelty accounts, for me particularly for specific Shitty Network purposes. This account is the only one I really use much.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Quite simply, the subreddit system. For just about anything you're interested in, you can be pretty sure there's one or several r/'s for you. It's a completely customizable website.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Work. Sleep. Read. Smoke(non-trees). Drink beer.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Not really. Although I've only been on reddit for 1 1/2 year or so. But during that time, I've noticed no significant changes. It was "memes/pun threads are ruining reddit rabblerabblerabble!" when I joined, and it still is. Unsubscribe some fucking defaults if it bother you that much.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

^

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

/r/AskAShittyMage - probably the most obscure, yet deserving junior member(AKA "little shitty") of the Shitty Network.

34 Comments
2012/08/21
15:45 UTC

41

ImNotJesus, Redditor of the Day August 19th/20th, 2012!

#ImNotJesus

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

25/M/Melbourne, Australia. Amazing city.

Relationship Status?

Live with my girlfriend.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Dogs.

Favorite beverage?

Despite knowing that I'm drinking a giant placebo, I do love a nice glass of red wine.

Food?

Mmm I love going out to fancy restaurants. Best meal I've had was kataifi wrapped scallops in a smoked chilli aioli, followed by Pan fried John Dory with spanner crab dumplings & roasted shellfish sauce. When I'm at home, I love cooking fresh pasta.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Movie: Fight Club, Good Will Hunting, The Departed, Man on the Moon, Hannibal movies, 40 Year Old Virgin, The Dark Knight, The Avengers, Inglorious Basterds, Anchorman. God it's hard to think of movies like this.

TV Shows: Breaking Bad, Sopranos, House, Louie, Dexter, Men of a Certain Age, The League, How I Met Your Mother, South Park, Family Guy, The Green Room, Episodes, Game of Thrones, Arrested Development, Firefly, Buffy, Angel, The Office (both), Always Sunny, Community, Top Gear (British), Peep Show, Walking Dead, John Safran Vs God, Extras, Scrubs.

Music?

My music taste hasn't changed in a while. The top few are Jeff Buckley, Queen, Billy Joel, Dispatch and Echo Drama.

Books?

I'm a non-fiction nerd, especially anything related to psychology - Mindsight, Brain Bugs, The Willpower Instinct, Brain-based Parenting, Thinking Fast and Slow, Stumbling on Happiness, The Joy/Science of Sin, Satiristas, The Moral Landscape, God is not Great, Incognito, Sum, The Happiness Hypothesis (Although, I find Haidt to be painful in interview), Predictably Irrational, Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me), Flourish. I could go on.

Games?

My favourite games fall into 3 categories: Sandbox with lots of character upgrades to get (e.g., prototype, skyrim), Strategy (e.g., civ, Tropico) or Sport. I avoid online gaming due to a previous Dota/WoW addiction.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Supercilious.

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

I love stand-up and anything comedy. I can generally be found with my headphones in and something comedy related playing. People falling over is always good too.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Alternative medicine/psychology. If people choose to not spend their spare time studying science, I totally get that. What I don't understand is why we make it legal for people to sell services that don't work and can potentially do incredible harm by taking advantage of people in their moment of need. Cults like Landmark Education and quacks like homeopaths are responsible for ruining uncountable lives. You could probably call it more of a violent anger than a pet peeve.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Tough one. I guess the biggest achievement is finishing my first of many psychology degrees

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Getting my honours degree in psychology, proposing to my SO, more fancy restaurants and hopefully a nice holiday.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

This may sound lame but I went through a pretty tough time from about 18-23 and despite, at the time, desperately wishing it wasn't happening, I don't think I could possibly be where I am now if it weren't for going through that experience. I'm sure I could think of a few fights with my SO where I could've handled things better

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Sending an e-mail to a psychology lab because I thought they were doing interesting research. As a result, I'll be doing my post-graduate work at an entirely different university and on an entirely different topic.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Creating a life worth living. Even in my darkest hours I know that I have a partner and future family that means the world to me, a career I care about and the genuine belief that the world is a better place for me having existed. I don't mean to sound cocky but that's a deliberate intention on my part. I want to know that I was more of a positive than a negative on the ledger when I'm on my deathbed.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

People kept getting me confused with someone else. Honestly, I don't know. I was sitting there with an empty Username bar and it just came to me.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

This is my 2nd real account. I've also had a couple of failed novelties.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

I come back because I learn and laugh regularly on here. There's a huge amount of content I don't enjoy but that's the nature of user-generated websites.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I love cooking, especially with a good podcast/audiobook in my ears. Holidays, learning about psychology, walks/quality time with my SO, good TV/movies, watching sport.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Probably.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

I don't think I have the right to say better or worse. It's a user-generated site and we get the content we deserve. If reposts/unfunny stuff is hitting the front page, that's because (a) people who aren't me want to see it or (b) we're not producing better content. Neither of those reasons give me a right to complain.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

A couple of things:

  • Some sort of reddit blood drive is still going to happen. I've been busy and the organising has dropped off a bit (sorry everyone) but in one way or another, there will be a drive. Please subscribe to /r/AR_Blood_Drive to get the most up to date information.
  • I want to promote mental health awareness! It's criminal that we don't treat people with mental illness in the same way that we treat any physical illness. You're not going to hear someone tell a cancer sufferer to "snap out of it". Mental illness makes us feel less comfortable and it's more difficult to understand than physical illness but the stats say that you'll know several people in your lifetime that have mental illness issues. Are you sure that you're doing everything you can to educate yourself in a way that you make their life easier? Actually, on that note, I wrote a huge list of psychology/mental health misconceptions for an askreddit thread. If you do anything, read that. Feel free to PM me with any questions about it too.
  • Also, make sure you check out my user page for all of my latest terrible jokes and inane insight.
60 Comments
2012/08/19
21:37 UTC

21

Splattypus, Redditor of the Day, August 17th, 2012

#splattypus

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

Mid 20s/ Male/ Virginia/ and absolutely love it. I can think of no other place I could honestly call home. Its nice to get out, but it's where I'll always come back to.

Relationship Status?

Unencumbered.

##Favorites:

Cats or Dogs?

Both. I like a cats independent streak and quirky behavior, but no animal makes you feel appreciated and loved quite like a loyal dog

Favorite beverage?

Regular beverage-water. Adult Beverage- scotch. And beer. And bourbon.

Food?

That's a tough one. I'll probably have to go with cheese. Though I haven't come across too many desserts I didn't agree with, too. The most delicious, of course, being key-lime cheesecake.

Favorite movies/tv shows?

Movie: Blazing Saddles is probably my favorite movie. As for shows, I don't know. South Park, House, Scrubs, MASH, Top Gear, anything educational and history based on Discovery/History Channels(rare these days, though, I know). I really don't watch a whole lot of tv or movies, and can't really get into much. I mostly watch for mindless entertainment whenever I have a few hours of free time.

Music?

My tastes in music are pretty varied. I like everything from Slayer and Pantera to Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan. My core group was comprised of the grunge classics, Alice in Chains, Sound Garden, Pearl Jam,etc, but as I age and explore more music I've taken to the softer, folkier side of music. Stuff like Drive-By Truckers or Mumford and Sons. Lately I've gotten on a blues kick. Truthfully, when I started trying to learn to play some music as a kid, I gained a new appreciation for all kinds of music. There's a lot of quality music out there in every genre.

Books?

My Calvin and Hobbes Collection? I don't know, I'm not as well read as I'd like to be. I've read a lot of James Patterson, but that's simple entertainment. I've got a terrible memory, so it's hard to recall some of the random obscure books I've picked up here or there. Oh, I just finished Catch-22, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and a collection of Ray Bradbury short stories which I was quite pleased with. Bradbury is a beautiful author.

Games?

I used to play a lot of chess with my brother when I was younger. Now I settle for video games, primarily FPSs like CoD or Halo. I've logged a lot of hours with my friends playing both. I'm better than most of my peers, and hold my own online, but every once in a while just get completely decimated, so it keeps me humble.

What is your favorite word or expression?

I'm a big fan of the words 'fuck' and ''damn', and all their various applications. Also one of my favorites, a phrase I picked up form my father, 'Shit on it'. I think few other phrases express such a thorough indifference towards a subject than 'shit on it.'

##Miscellanea:

What makes you laugh?

Sarcasm and irony. I'm a bit of a cynic and a pessimist, so I have an appreciation for that kind of humor I guess. Also puns. I love a well-placed pun.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Ooh I've got a bunch. Biggest, though, is probably people who are loud/noisy just for the sake of being loud or noisy. Who do it to irritate you, or are otherwise just completely oblivious to how disruptive they are being. Silence is golden.

What was the best thing about the last year?

I don't really know. Very little has changed for me in the past year. It hasn't been good, but is really hasn't been bad, either, so I can't really complain. I've made some really good friends on reddit, so that's cool. And a few of my friends in real life have gotten married or happily divorced, or otherwise had good years, so I'm happy for them.

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Vacations. I've been in a terrible rut and I'm determined to break out of it one way or another as long as I have money to afford it.

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

I'd go away to college instead of stay local. I stayed at home and put in time at a community college because I didn't have any clear goals for the future. That eventually led me to just go for full-time employment, rather than finish my educational career. Had I gone away to school when all my friends had, who knows what could be different. I could be in the same boat, just with loads of debt, or I might have found a passion to pursue.

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Nothing comes to mind. Hopefully I've had a profound and postive influence on someone's life on reddit, maybe? I suppose I should take this time to also apologize, I've been a terrible prick to some people, as well, and a lot of it has been totally uncalled for. And that's not cool, there's no excuse for the lack of civility and respect. So to every user out there I may have been harsh to who feels it was undeserved, I do apologize for my behavior towards you.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

The support of good family and friends.

##Concerning reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

It was my nickname from some 10 years ago or so and has ultimately become part of me. And if anyone who knows me in real life sees this, they should recognize me. So I'm trying to remember what incriminating, embarrassing, or otherwise fucked up stuff I've said.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

4.This one, a since-deleted, a backup alt, and an abandoned 'novelty'.

What is your favorite part of reddit?

Without a doubt the interaction with people. I wouldn't get near as much social interaction were it not for reddit. Interestingly, reddit almost provides too much, soemtimes. There are some days, after redditing all day, I go home and don't want to have to speak to another person about anything.

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Work out, read, or sleep. Between my job and commute, I'm not left with a lot of free time during the week. I try to hit the gym every night, or play sports or something, and I've been trying to read more in the evenings too. If I'm not doing that, I'm watching tv, or hanging out with friends doing whatever. I try not to have idle time, though I still am not what you would call 'productive'.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so?

Without a doubt.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Well....no. Not really. Okay, that's not entirely fair. When I joined here, reddit was still actually a pretty small, and relatively unknown corner of the internet. The collapse of Digg sparked reddit's rise to prominence around the internet, then various stories and activities and people have been picked up by other sources and media outlets, continuing to draw more attention. It's been fascinating to watch, because it seemed to happen so slow at the time, but looking back it seems so drastically different. I don't mean to criticize the younger crowd, especially because I'm no senior citizen either, but it feels like the average age or maturity has dropped from the 'late college/young professionals' crowd to 'late highschool/young college crowd'. And I don't necessarily mean to detract from them. I've had the pleasure of getting to know several younger redditors who are incredible people, and who would otherwise give no indication of their age based on their intelligence and maturity.

But you can't refute that, typically speaking, with age comes maturity. And as reddit's popularity has grown across the web, it as attractive a huge base of the core internet-user demographic, teenagers, from the vast collection of social media sites, forums, and boards popular with that demographic. And the general behavior has swung to reflect that. Knee-jerk reactions and overreactions, drama, gossip, lack of civility or respect to fellow users, spamming of blogs and Youtube pages and Facebook whatevers. Even the nature of the trolling has changed. From the legends like Bozarking, it has just devolved into petty and childish harassment, racism, sexism, etc. It's disheartening.

But I'm just part of a minority, here. Apparently the majority feels different. And I'll admit, in recent weeks I've really tried to branch out and embrace reddit for as it is and let go of what it used to be, I've given up the fight as it were, and I've enjoyed myself considerably. So while yes it has changed, and in some ways for the worse, it is what it is and nothing lasts forever.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate? Always. /r/redditoroftheday, of course. You all do tremendous work and it's great to highlight a member of the commuity.

Also, I'd like to give my appreciation to a lot of the mods out there in the subreddits like /r/askreddit and /r/iama. You are faced with a tremendous and thankless task of regulating these incredibly large and active subs, of cleaning out the trash, and trying to ensure the content of the subreddit is of the highest quality for the maximum enjoyment of the greatest number of users. You do this in the face of vitriol, spite, and sometimes incredible levels of disrespect, sacrificing your personal time and sanity for zero compensation, so that others on reddit might enjoy their experience a little bit more.

Also I guess I'd like to plug /r/RestOf, a place to showcase the underappreciated or overlooked comments that still offer profound insight, amusement, or is otherwise quality content that just didn't get the recognition it deserved.

137 Comments
2012/08/17
15:02 UTC

31

rya11111 is our redditor of the day, August 15th, 2012.

#rya11111

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

22/M .. Living in Bangalore, India. Love Bangalore!

Relationship Status?

Sigh .. Single .. Never been in one .. Girls find me boring :( (and not attractive too i think) .. but i am trying one though .. :)

Favorites:

Dogs?

Dogs, no doubt about it. My grandma's house used to have 9 dogs, 4 rabbits and 7 cats .. i only loved the dogs though.

Favorite beverage?

Definitely Cold coffee. I love drinking it when i am driving! :D

Food?

I love north-indian food. But in my travel i have loved the western breakfast a lot though! :D

Favorite movie:

Love english movies .. genres include thriller, mystery, sci-fi .. also love movies which depict end of the world as we know it :)

As for TV Shows .. includes Two and a Half Men, F.R.I.E.N.D.S, Castle, BBT, White Collar, Burn Notice, Numbers and a lot more sitcoms.

But if TV shows includes animes, then the list is very long and it goes over 70 shows .. favs include Bleach, Naruto, Fairy Tail, Kuroko no Basket etc.

Music

I love listening to Pop, Rock and smooth music. I also play guitar. Metallica, Led Zeppelin and Taylor Swift deserve an honourable mention here i think :)

Books?

Love reading thrillers, Mystery and books which deal with psychology of the humans are really interesting.

Games?

For indoor:

COD Series, F.E.A.R Series, Dead Space Series, Age of Empires Series (I know its old .. ಠ_ಠ), God Of War Series and many others. .. I got hold of Amnesia recently but yet to start though...

For Outdoor:

I love Basketball and Soccer.

What is your favorite word or expression?

ಠ_ಠ <--- this

##Miscellenea:

What makes you laugh?

Reddit. The comments are amazing! :D ... Also spending some time with friends who are really funny ..

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Ignorant people and people who talk behind someone's backs .. i usually am not a fan of these.

What was the best thing about the last year?

Getting my acceptance at a Graduate college in US!

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Coming to the US! .. Never been to europe or north america .. so the only knowledge i have about US is by watching movies, sitcoms and reddit! :D .. I hope i am not disappointed :) .. and oh yea, buying a new bike!

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

What's been done is done .. so there's no point thinking about it...

A butterfly flaps its wings... what small thing have you done or said that lead to something disproportionately larger?

Sorry .. I am allergetic to butterflies.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

My Parents! :)

##Concerning Reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

Hahahaha ... My first crush's name was riya and I just started putting up my usernames in her memory! .. The five ones are just generic. I know its stupid >.>

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

well there's /u/saltychristian , /u/skuld , /u/karmanaut [+3], /u/jaxspider [+23] for starters .. if you want more you should look at the mod list in /r/askreddit and /r/pics ... they are all me!

What is your favorite part of reddit?

The way in which each post made has a mixture of humour, knowledge, contradictions and emotional comments is awesome! :D

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

Workout, Play guitar, Read, College, Study, Sleep etc.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so? If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Yes.

If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

Yes and No. Well the number of comments have increased a lot ... A lot of novelty accounts have started coming up (i am not really a fan of those) and yes many subs have degraded in quality. But many small small subs have come up which are awesome! also some subs have taken a stricter role in moderation which has increased the quality of their subs.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

I love each of my sub that i mod and i dont know which one to add here .. so some of them are /r/tifu, /r/calvinandhobbes , /r/howtonotgiveafuck, /r/dailyprogrammer ... oh yea, the most important sub is : /r/rya11111 ! :D

70 Comments
2012/08/15
14:06 UTC

20

Retawekaj is our redditor of the day, August 7th, 2012.

#Retawekaj

##Stats:

A/S/L and do you love where you live?

20/m/Chicago suburb. But I go to school in Colorado.

Relationship Status?

Single!

Favorites:

Dogs?

I love German Shepherds. I've grown up with several my whole live. Oh and corgis are awesome too!

Favorite beverage?

Iced Tea. It's pretty much the only thing I drink when I go out to eat.

Food?

I like all food except for fruit flavored cream cheese. Fuck that shit.

Favorite movie:

Back To The Future. Favorite TV shows: Mad Men, How I Met Your Mother, Game of Thrones, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo

Books?

I really like a lot of Dean Koontz novels. And Harry Potter.

Games?

Pretty much any Sims game.

What is your favorite word or expression?

Clit Chowder

##Miscellenea:

What makes you laugh?

I love really strange humor, like Tim and Eric and The Eric André Show. Or stuff like /r/FifthWorldPics. This and this are probably my two favorite gifs of all time.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Pooping in the soup.

What was the best thing about the last year?

I finally became a cat!

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead?

Still being a cat!

If you were granted one do-over, what would it be?

It would be nice if I could be two cats.

All things considered what is the most important thing in the world to you?

Being happy! I know, what a lame answer but it's true. But okay, if I had to pick something less cliche, I would say that I love watching the world change. I'm only 20, but the idea of living to be 100 and having seen so many things about the world and my life change, grow, and improve really excites me.

##Concerning Reddit:

What is the origin or meaning of your user name?

My original username was Jakewater. But then I decided that it would be cool to spell it backwards and make that my username. Turns out that it wasn't, and that I hate my username, but have put in too much work to be able to change it again.

Total number of reddit identities you’ve had?

17

What is your favorite part of reddit?

I don't know. Spacedicks maybe? Yeah let's just go with spacedicks

What do you do when you’re not on reddit?

I try to be as social as I can when I'm not in my room and on reddit. I try to spend much of my time not on reddit hanging out with friends.

Do you think reddit has changed in the last year or so? If so, do you think it’s been for the better?

I'd like to think so. A lot of the bigger subreddits have become infiltrated by memes and bad jokes, so in that respect no. But a lot of the smaller subreddits have been growing into strong communities.

##Final Question:

Is there anything you'd like to plug/promote/advocate?

/r/CatsStandingUp

49 Comments
2012/08/10
17:08 UTC

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