How to Conquer Reddit With Endless Thread Host Ben Brock Johnson
In the latest installment of The Upgrade, we’re talking about the self-proclaimed “front page of the internet,” a huge online community known as Reddit . For some, Reddit is a second home, a place to chat, post links, chat and talk to like-minded people with friends and enemies. For others, it’s a confusing rabbit maze with strange rules and etiquette, countless enthusiasts and trolls, an irresistible curiosity that they can visit from time to time, but who have time to learn to navigate in what is essentially a complex system. message boards?
Our guide is Ben Brock Johnson, host of Endless Thread , a new podcast from Reddit and WBUR-Boston. You may know Ben from Marketplace Tech on American Public Media, where he hosted for four years, or when he was a writer for Slate. Whether you are a die-hard Redditor or a total skeptic, Ben has secrets and tips to fully experience the agony and ecstasy of this haven ruled by madmen, sometimes magical, sometimes creepy, always addicting Reddit.com.
This week we discussed
- n / personal finance and n / legal advice : surprisingly interesting.
- r / AskHistorians : Don’t even try to answer the question unless you are a serious historian.
- r / CatsMurderingToddlers : ( As far as we know , this is not real murder.)
- r / BirdsWithArms : How it sounds.
- r / SpiderBro : “A place for the spider friends who are our brothers.”
- AMA Ben : Get to know him even better.
- Reddit is “a spacious, sophisticated human cave . “
- r / ABraThatFits : You are definitely wearing the wrong size.
- Crazy juicy cupcakes I discovered when I hit Random.
Our weekly updates
Levy
WineHQ lets you run Windows programs on your Mac like Net Hack , which would be D&D if it was an old video game.
If you like Net Hack, you might like Dwarf Fortress .
Ben
Ben and Levy both own and love this trendy black matte thermos .
Melissa
Set your Sonos to BOOST to prevent speakers from dropping out. (Yes, an Ethernet cable is used here.)
Live update
Come see us live at the On Air Fest in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Friday, March 2 at 2:00 pm. Let’s talk with Jill Abramson and Douglas Rushkoff. Tickets and information here .
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