Snark subreddits: Why do we spend so much time on people and things we cannot stand?

On the surface, these communities can look like ordinary discussion forums. People post screenshots, analyse public statements, question contradictions, debate whether a celebrity’s apology was sincere or if an influencer’s lifestyle is authentic, and all sorts of discourse on the latest business sponsorship. 

After spending months trawling through these spaces and speaking with a few of their regular users, I’ve realised the point is not always a discussion. Most of the time, the whole point is to dislike.

A SPACE TO CRITICISE TOGETHER

Honestly, I get the appeal.

There is something satisfying about finding a group of people who are irritated by the same things you are. There can be comfort in realising you are not the only person who finds an influencer annoying, a celebrity overhyped or a fandom unbearable.

In a digital culture where stan communities can sometimes feel aggressively positive and intolerant of criticism, snark spaces can seem refreshing or even necessary.

One Singaporean Reddit user – or Redditor – who goes by QuietComfort0225 and has used Reddit for about eight years, described snark culture as “a sort of equal and opposite reaction to stan culture”.

“Some ‘stan’ spaces are equally insufferable and non-critical,” the 31-year-old professional, who did not want to be identified, told CNA Lifestyle, adding that these spaces often “defend the object of their affection and fandom at all costs and reject all criticism”.

For some users, snark subreddits also feel like a refuge. 

Shem Yao, Head of Touch Cyber Wellness – an initiative of Touch Community Services that promotes healthy digital habits, media literacy, and online safety for children, parents and educators – said that whether on Reddit, Discord or the local HardwareZone, these online spaces can offer genuine belonging, a place to exchange perspectives and, at times, hold public figures to account.

“For some users, including young people, these forums feel more open and welcoming than their offline environments,” he said.

“People do not join these spaces only because they are mean. They join because they are bored, lonely, frustrated, curious, disillusioned or tired of being told they cannot criticise someone popular,” he added.

They offer a place to say the thing that might get downvoted, deleted or attacked elsewhere. They allow people to question popular influencers, celebrities and fandoms without being accused of jealousy or bad faith. They also offer the pleasure of collective eye-rolling – a very human form of bonding.

Another local user, CantonaStorms92, a 29-year-old Reddit user working in the public service, said he has been on Reddit for 10 years and has often lurked in local online snark communities such as r/SingaporeRaw.

He described such spaces as “alternative or subculture” communities, where posts that may not be accepted on mainstream subreddits find a home.

“Some might say r/Singapore is too liberal or ‘snowflake’ – too sensitive and politically correct – hence why the name Singapore Raw for this other subreddit, it’s more unfiltered,” he said.

That promise of being “unfiltered” is a big part of the appeal. In snark spaces, people can be direct, funny, sceptical and brutally honest.