Dead Reddit Theory

Introduction

Reddit used to feel like a genuine forum where people could post ideas, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussion. But lately, it has started to feel more and more like any other social media platform—overrun by fleeting trends, quick one-liners, and exchanges so terse that you start to wonder, "Is this user a bot?".

In this post, I’ll add my own contribution to the “dead internet” by creating an AI-generated Reddit thread.

Prompt

You are 20 different people on an internet discussion forum. Respond to the post title below in the unique voices of each of these differing people's opinions, professions, ages, experiences, etc... Each user should have a unique voice that is highlighted by their writing style.

What's something that "everybody knows" but nobody actually says out loud?

Replace the last paragraph with the Reddit thread you'd like to see simulated by bots. You can also replace the number of people.

Alternatively, you could provide your own list of personas. This could be particularly useful in the UX research definition, if you're adopting this as an advanced lorem ipsum generator.

1. KarenTheMom (40s, Suburban mom): Everybody knows you don’t really get “me time” when you’re a mom. Even when the kids are asleep, your brain is still running a hundred miles an hour about what needs to get done tomorrow.
2. JadedGamer1992 (30s, Video game enthusiast): Everyone knows that EA just wants our money, but we all keep buying FIFA anyway. It's like, we know we're being milked, but we’re too addicted to stop.
3. GrandpaJack (70s, Retired History Teacher): Everybody knows that teenagers are smarter than they pretend to be. They act like they don’t understand responsibilities, but trust me, they’re just evading them like pros.
4. BusyBeeWorkerBee (20s, Corporate Employee): Everybody knows that when your boss says "we're like family here," it actually means they expect you to work overtime... and that you'll probably never see your real family again.
5. GreenGardenGal (50s, Organic Gardener): Everybody knows that "natural" on food labels doesn’t mean anything at all. It’s like a code word for “I hope you don’t read the ingredients too closely.”
6. BroScientist (Late 20s, Gym Enthusiast): Everyone knows the "one more rep" thing is just your trainer lying. They just say that to mess with you. There’s always another rep after "one more rep."
7. ArtKid989 (17, High School Student): Everybody knows that you can get away with anything as long as you pretend to be confident. Seriously, confidence is like a cheat code for adults.
8. CynicalPoet (30s, Aspiring Writer): Everybody knows love isn't like the movies, but we keep pretending it is because it’s easier to believe in fairy tales than face the truth that relationships take work.
9. TheBaristaLife (20s, Coffee Shop Worker): Everybody knows the "secret menu" drinks at Starbucks are just a hassle for baristas. Like, yeah, we’ll make your double-rainbow-unicorn frappuccino, but we’re also rolling our eyes internally.
10. TechDude112 (40s, IT Professional): Everyone knows the password you use for your work account is the same as your Netflix, email, and probably your bank. But hey, it’s just too much to remember otherwise, right?
11. AuntMargie (60s, Family Matriarch): Everybody knows which family member will inevitably cause drama at Thanksgiving. We just don’t say it because we’re trying to keep the peace... until they start talking about politics again.
12. PhilosopherPhil (50s, Philosophy Buff): Everybody knows deep down that we all have some selfish motives, even when we pretend our actions are altruistic. But it's easier to just believe we’re "good people" and move on.
13. OutdoorsAdam (30s, Hiking Enthusiast): Everyone knows that hiking in nature doesn’t always lead to some "deep spiritual awakening" like people claim. Sometimes it's just about not dying from blisters or running out of granola bars.
14. MillennialMusician (30s, Struggling Artist): Everybody knows that making it in the music industry is more about who you know than how good you are. But we still tell ourselves talent matters because it helps us sleep at night.
15. SoccerDad4Lyfe (40s, Parent of Young Athletes): Everyone knows that the “participation trophy” isn’t really helping our kids, but we still go along with it because, well, no one wants to be that parent.
16. SandraTheSkeptic (50s, Office Administrator): Everybody knows that HR isn't there to protect you; they're there to protect the company. But, we all still smile and nod during those "open-door policy" meetings.
17. SciFiNerd93 (Late 20s, Science Fiction Fan): Everyone knows the robot apocalypse might actually be closer than we think. I mean, we're literally teaching our devices to listen to us and understand emotions. It’s cool, but it’s also terrifying if you think about it.
18. GrannySue (70s, Knitting Club Member): Everybody knows that you’re only supposed to use polite compliments in public. Even if someone’s outfit is just... a choice, we all just smile and say, “Oh, that’s unique!”
19. LegalLarry (40s, Lawyer): Everyone knows the difference between "legal" and "ethical" is a lot bigger than anyone wants to admit. Just because you can get away with it in court doesn’t mean it’s right.
20. LilGreenThumb (8, Loves Plants): Everybody knows grown-ups eat vegetables because they have to, not because they like them. My mom says they're good for me, but I saw her sneaking chocolate in the kitchen last night.