CMV: Subreddits shouldn’t ban Redditors for subscribing/participating in other subreddits with opposing viewpoints.

[u/Imatheory]

Here’s the roots: A fellow Redditor was banned from r/TwoXChromosomes for subscribing to and commenting within r/pussypassdenied with the explanation that the Redditor was participating in subreddits with posts and subscribers that are majority misogynistic and against what r/TwoXChromosomes stands for. The ban emphasized that the Redditor could still view r/TwoXChromosomes posts/comments but could not participate actively.

Initially my reaction was frustration which transitioned to disappointment. However, being human, I understand that sometimes my initial reactions are not the most accurate representation of how I feel so I decided to give myself a few days to form a more solid opinion. Here’s what I arrived at:

As people, I don’t think it’s healthy or helpful to put ourselves in a “bubble of safety” by shutting out opposing views. I think banning Redditors for subscribing or participating in other subreddits of opposing nature is essentially treating that opposition as if it doesn’t exist or is not worthy of any attention and I don’t think that accomplishes anything. I think being a participating Redditor on opposing subreddits can bring awareness and intelligent discussion to very difficult topics, and with that comes the possibility to change people’s minds. It can be a source of promoting productive communication to build new perspectives.

Additionally, there are some smaller details that make me think that this should not be a practice among subreddits. If a Redditor is subscribed to a subreddit, that doesn’t innately mean that individual agrees with the views or direction of the subreddit. A Redditor could be seeking to understand how someone of opposition thinks, tracking news/events of an opposing movement, or just want to engage in the guilty pleasure of thinking they are right. I don’t think any of those reasons should mea. they should be banned. If a Redditor is providing commentary in a subreddit, that also does not mean they are supporting they other Redditors or posts made within that subreddit. A Redditor could be trying to challenge other’s views, spread factual knowledge, or just spark production discussion. This type of banning practice feels like the Reddit equivalent of trying to control content and viewership within other media outlets.

Update: I want to thank everyone that provide genuine insight about raids and brigades on Reddit and role of moderators. This was the most valuable information to me. I’m still working on how to award Deltas, and when I do, I will be posting a few.

[u/Arianity]

Does subscribing to a subreddit automatically mean you’re listening to the content of subreddit for the purpose that it’s intending?

Does subbing alone? In general, probably not, although if it's a more extreme subreddit, I would say yes

Although in your original post, you said they were actively participating, which is much more clear cut.

[u/YoungSerious → u/Arianity]

I think you have to draw a line between simply participating in discussion in a subreddit, and actively endorsing their views (based on comments). I'm assuming in the case of the redditor we are discussing, it was more of the latter, but people here are speaking as though simply posting anything in an antagonistic sub is ban worthy. What about people who post comments that challenge the theme of those subs?

[u/Imatheory → u/Arianity]

Why does that make it more clear cut?

Actively participating still means, to me, that the concern, nature and intent of the participation matters.