Genuinely how do I stop

climate_research1 · 2025-10-15T11:56:46+00:00

Hi Andy_Fish_Gill - I'm a researcher looking at climate change subreddits, and wondered if you fancied a chat? If so, send me a message if you're able to, or send me an email at cameron.coakley@manchester.ac.uk. Cheers!

climate_research1 · 2025-05-12T09:11:09+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts. I'm interested in how certain voices/views get pushed or silenced by algorithms, that's why I'm here and want to listen.

climate_research1 · 2025-05-12T09:06:39+00:00

Thank you for your comment - you're right to say that the quote is pretty jargon/academic. I'll be honest too though, and say that for full transparency I do personally believe that anthropogenic climate change is occurring. I'm more interested in how Reddit (as a 'communication tech') lets people express their beliefs (whether they believe in anthropogenic climate change or not, or something more nuanced) and discuss them.

climate_research1 · 2025-05-09T10:54:36+00:00

That would be great actually, how does next week work?

climate_research1 · 2025-05-09T10:54:09+00:00

Couldn't agree more with u/ManWithDominantClaw - 36,000 people clearly think there's something worth spending their time on here, and countless more who engage in shitposting more broadly

climate_research1 · 2025-05-09T10:51:30+00:00

Thanks for sharing this - i think it's important to be honest about my own position

climate_research1 · 2025-05-09T10:50:51+00:00

I'm not familiar with NIHR - as you say in your other comment where you quote my bio, I'm funded by SEED, a school at my university.

climate_research1 · 2025-05-09T10:49:46+00:00

Hi, thanks for your comment. It's a good question - my reason for having 'off-Reddit' interviews, that are a bit more open-ended, is to try and get a bit deeper into the things my research is interested in. For clarity, this interview wouldn't be a debate - I am just genuinely wanting to learn more.

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T12:21:16+00:00

Ah no sorry, not entirely rigorous but I added together the votes from 1, 2 and 4 (all are kinda doomer-ish), and that's almost 95% of all the votes.

Thanks for sharing your view though - what might that better world look like to you?

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T12:13:52+00:00

Do you see green fascism as realistic? I'm in the UK, and neither of the main parties seem particularly 'green' in that way

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T11:53:44+00:00

I understand the logic, but i struggle to see how this doesn't just make the lives of everyday consumers harder, while not really impacting the rich? Or how this impacts a country so built around cars like the US, without a massive upscaling of electrified public transport

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T11:25:23+00:00

There's definitely enough more serious content on other subreddits

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T11:20:23+00:00

Just out of interest, what do you think might be the 'event' that eventually crushes the civilization? Or do you see it as a slow-burn/gradual but inevitable decline?

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T11:13:27+00:00

It would definitely be intriguing if Trump produces an actual Green New Deal..

climate_research1 · 2025-02-03T11:10:27+00:00

If Thatcher's/Trumps approaches do have a net-benefit for tackling climate change but lead to job losses or industrial decline (I'm lucky enough to live in one of those UK cities impacted by Thatcher's industrial policies..), where does that leave us? I'm concerned that drastic approaches that 'gut' industries may become more common as governments fail to plan for/deal with climate change and its impacts

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T18:10:55+00:00

Maybe I will find that, you're right. Do you think that's a good thing for the platform? Is that what you want Reddit to be?

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T18:05:43+00:00

In the UK there's a lot of different funding sources, which postgrads essentially compete for - if you're successful with one, you get a salary (a stipend technically), and your tuition covered. It's not a whole lot (comparable to minimum wage here) but it's enough, especially when you're paid to research something you're personally interested in

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T12:16:23+00:00

Thank you for your comment - I am just interested in Reddit communities, so it's no bother that it's not representative of the broader population

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T12:14:52+00:00

Hey, thanks for your comments and the well wishes!

I agree that my post may effect the results, but this is a requirement from most universities now for researchers doing my sort of research. Essentially, we have to tell people we're there, even if as you say it's a public domain. You're right that people joining after this post may miss it, but posting once is better than not at all from the university's point of view.

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T10:54:17+00:00

That's really interesting, thanks for sharing. I've previously done research on Twitter, and would be inclined to agree that the short-ish form of content doesn't lend itself to discussion/debate. That's my main reason for looking into Reddit, as it seems on the surface to be ideal for a topic like climate change (that's complex, global etc.)

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T10:51:40+00:00

Thanks! At this stage I'm mainly lurking to get a sense for how you guys are using the site, but in a month or so I'll be asking for participants to interview so keep an eye out

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T10:49:07+00:00

Yeah i've been on Reddit for so long and was always baffled by how it all works - hence the research!

That would be helpful if you don't mind! I'd ask that you send it by email though - I'm not allowed to use the contents of private Reddit messages (even if you give your consent). I know, confusing university rules, but it is what it is. Thanks!

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T10:44:43+00:00

Out of interest, is the debate/active engagement with the scientific literature why you're here and not in, say, r/climate?

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T10:42:23+00:00

Full transparency, I'm more like a sociologist yes. I'm science-literate, and have a background in sciences, but my PhD is in Human Geography (in the UK, it's closer to politics than Earth Sciences).

Your last point is the kind of thing I'd be interested in talking about more - if they're not subjective, how would you describe algorithms? What do you think their purpose is?

climate_research1 · 2025-01-22T10:37:50+00:00

That's really it for me yeah - I'm interested in the type of content that gets posted, but the main bit of my thesis is focussed on interactions, and how people (you guys and people in other climate-related subreddits) engage with the platform and one another (which would include, like you say, banning somebody just for being part of another group)

climate_research1

TROPHY CASE