Feed: Slashdot
Feed Link: https://slashdot.org/
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Title: Reddit Turns 20

Link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/05/12/2112...

ZDNet's Steven Vaughan-Nichols marks Reddit's 20 years of being "the front
page of the internet," recalling its evolution from a scrappy startup into a
cultural powerhouse that shaped online discourse, meme culture, and the way
millions consume news and entertainment. Slashdot is also given a subtle nod
in the opening line of the article. An anonymous reader shares an excerpt: In
2005, if you were into social networks focused on links, you probably used
Digg or Slashdot. However, two guys, Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, recent
graduates from the University of Virginia, wanted to create a hub where users
could find, share, and discuss the internet's most interesting content.
Little did they know where this idea would take them. After all, their
concept was nothing new. Still, after Paul Graham, co-founder of Y
Combinator, the startup accelerator and seed capital firm, had shot down
their first idea -- a mobile food-ordering app -- they pitched what would
become Reddit to Graham, and he gave it his blessing. Drawing inspiration
from sites like Delicious, a now-defunct social bookmarking service, and
Slashdot, Huffman and Ohanian envisioned Reddit as a platform that would
combine the best aspects of both: a place for sharing timely, ephemeral news
and fostering vibrant community discussions of not just technology, but any
topic users cared about. Their guiding mission was to build "the front page
of the internet," a simple, user-driven site where anyone could submit
content, and the community, not algorithms or editors, would decide what was
most important through voting and discussion. They deliberately prioritized
user participation and conversation over flashy features or heavy editorial
control. What set Reddit apart from its early rivals was its framework.
Instead of one large all-in-one interface, the site borrowed the idea from
pre-internet online networks, such as CompuServe, of smaller sub-networks
devoted to a particular topic. These user-created communities, "subreddits,"
quickly set it apart from other social platforms. As Laurence Sangarde-Brown,
co-founder of TechTree, wrote: "This design allows users to delve into
focused discussions, ask questions, and exchange ideas on a scale unmatched
by other platforms." That approach was not enough, though, to kick-start
Reddit. The founders had to "fake it until they made it." They seeded the
site with fake accounts to make it appear more active. Their efforts paid
off, as real users soon flocked to the platform. Another crucial early change
was when Reddit merged with Aaron Swartz's Infogami and introduced
commenting. This move was vital for laying the groundwork for the site's
interactive, community-driven experience. [...] So, where does Reddit go from
here? We'll see. Reddit's legacy is one of transformation: from a scrappy
startup to a global hub for conversation, collaboration, and sometimes
controversy. As it celebrates 20 years, Reddit remains a testament to how
important online communities can be in a world increasingly filled with AI
slop. Still, Huffman believes Reddit's true value is coming. In a recent
Reddit post, he wrote: "Reddit works because it's human. It's one of the few
places online where real people share real opinions. That authenticity is
what gives Reddit its value. If we lose trust in that, we lose what makes
RedditReddit. Our focus is, and always will be, on keeping Reddit a trusted
place for human conversation." Huffman concluded: "The last 20 years have
proven how powerful online communities can be - and as we look ahead, I'm
even more excited for what the next 20 will bring."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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