r/AskReddit • u/practicalnoob69 • Apr 23 '19

Reddit admins, how much time do you spend daily lurking on Reddit?

44.6k Upvotes

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3.6k

u/DingDongMichaelHere Apr 23 '19

Do you actually work for Reddit?

5.2k

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Yes Ma’am!

1.8k

u/u3h Apr 23 '19

Do you ever just look though random posts and delete stuff/ban people without it ever being reported?

2.8k

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Nope! I’m an engineer, so that’s not my main job. When I see questionable content, I’ll forward it to the appropriate team though.

3.5k

u/autowrite Apr 23 '19

Did you get fired just now? Where’s your red symbol?

3.2k

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

That’d be a terrible way to find out I was fired! I can choose whether or not to distinguish my stuff as being from an admin.

2.0k

u/Krauzber Apr 23 '19

Then... Always admin to show dominance over the common folk? Cmon man this is admin 101 type of stuff.

729

u/Scheikunde Apr 23 '19

It was the first thing I learned when I became a mod of a small online forum!

284

u/Krauzber Apr 23 '19

Glad to hear it, that forum must still be alive and kicking it's users. Good times.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Oppress the proletariat

3

u/anthoniesp Apr 23 '19

Wow een mede Nederlander

2

u/Sukmilongheart Apr 23 '19

Was it a forum on chemistry per chance? :)

1

u/littlelamp15 Apr 23 '19

Coole naam

12

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Being famous is hard. Sometimes I just want anonymity.

3

u/Krauzber Apr 23 '19

Schh Schh it's ok, we won't tell anyone <3

10

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19 edited Dec 21 '20

[deleted]

30

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

She*

7

u/Pi-Guy Apr 23 '19

This would be an appropriate time to establish your presence as an admin

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3

u/br094 Apr 23 '19

You ever see a mod on a subreddit always distinguish their comment as a mod comment? Or even pin it? When it’s literally not even a special comment? I hate that

2

u/Krauzber Apr 23 '19

Yeah, sure, depends on the mod I suppose. Usually as long as the moderators keep up good conversation like the rest of the users I actually prefer them using their mod emblems. Kinda reminds you that they're there ya know?

3

u/br094 Apr 23 '19

It makes me think they’re on an ego trip and wanna make sure you know they have power over you. That’s how some of them are.

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2

u/Xhelius Apr 23 '19

As an Admin (Domain) myself, I don't flex my creds unless need be. IMO it's pretentious as hell. Lol

2

u/Krauzber Apr 23 '19

That was the joke, yeah? :)

2

u/Xhelius Apr 23 '19

Yeah, I realized that after I posted. Instead of deleting it, I just added an 'Lol'. That absolves me of all crimes and the like!

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1

u/Lemon_Hound Apr 23 '19

My dude, that's just showing your hand before placing bets! If you're in an argument with another user, and they come at you with a quick response flaired as an admin, you can bet your ass they just had the last word.

1

u/Krauzber Apr 24 '19

Oh shit, i didnt even think about the Guerilla-Admin tactics!

1

u/CappuccinoBoy Apr 24 '19

Nothing like seeing someone argue with an admin (over something stupid) and half way through the admin whips their dick red name out.

290

u/absentmindedjwc Apr 23 '19

Question, if a community mod were to ban your account on their subreddit. Would you still be able to post because "fuck your peasant rules"? Could you even be banned from a subreddit... hmm..

*edit: turns out, you can ban an admin through mod tools. Doubt it really does much though, haha.

PS: I unbanned you as soon as I banned you, haha

265

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

My posts and comments are subject to the same rules as everyone else's are. I too get removed by automod.

87

u/absentmindedjwc Apr 23 '19

Right, but if you were so inclined, could you just - you know - post in a subreddit you were banned in? Also, can automod remove an admin-distinguished post/comment? I would imagine you guys would have coded for that.

92

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Technically, I'm sure I could, but that's not the point. I wouldn't post anything to get me banned (especially from my admin account). Plus, that violates the whole notion of community governance. Let me tell you a story.

I did some admin shitposting in my beloved r/survivor in December of last year, and the mods offered to make me custom flair. Though they correctly assumed I could have just given myself the flair, I insisted on going through the process that other users go through. I'm a member of a community that happens to be an admin.

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u/Jacoman74undeleted Apr 23 '19

/r/SingShredCode: [sweats profusely] Yeah we totally coded for that.

22

u/attanai Apr 23 '19

I don't work for Reddit, but I am a software developer. What you described here is known as a backdoor - that is, an opening allowing certain people to break the rules of your application. Every opening (front or back or whatever) is a place where extra security is needed to keep "bad guys" (namely former employees, but also hackers and such) out. This is a lot of extra work and increases code complexity (which is a big no-no).

In other words, if such a backdoor is found to exist by another developer, they will usually close it, if only to make their own job less difficult. I can't speak for Reddit, of course, but that's how it's worked every place I've been.

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10

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Enough softballs: Have you ever been subject to Location Bot's cat facts?

7

u/thirdegree Apr 23 '19

Psh, I think it was u/sodypop that posted in CenturyClub both without meeting the requirements and while being banned.

Admin abuse!

3

u/FreakingSmile Apr 23 '19

Automod is superior to everyone!

3

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Truer words have never been spoken.

40

u/triface1 Apr 23 '19

Yo, don't tease the tiger

3

u/ExtraterrestrialHobo Apr 23 '19

They probably can ban the account from posting regular text, but not the red special admin messages. I know admins can’t be blocked from officially speaking because there was/is a subreddit called like “noadminsallowed” (I don’t remember exactly what it was) and the entire thing was/is just reddit admins and the users trolling each other back and forth.

TLDR, a community banned all admins, red text everywhere. My assumption: they can speak in red (admin) header, but not in grey (regular) header.

Can an admin confirm/deny this?

114

u/CantComprehendAJoke Apr 23 '19

do you have an alt account for porn viewing and/or unprofessional shit talking etc that you don't want tied to your main account?

271

u/absentmindedjwc Apr 23 '19

Don't we all?

4

u/astraladventures Apr 23 '19

Been thinking of doing this for a while....

1

u/Cyborg_rat Apr 24 '19

Same :/ but too lazy. Plus i know i would mix them up.

226

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

We have alts, just like the rest of you sickos. Could you imagine discovering that the crazy shit you read on r/confession is from an admin? It's not good for anyone

142

u/CantComprehendAJoke Apr 23 '19

Wtf this admin just called me a name. MODS!!!!!!

18

u/vinit144 Apr 23 '19

Username checks out

13

u/Amanbbi Apr 23 '19

"After careful review, consideration and taking into account the amount of name calling, we have decided to ban u/CantComprehendAJoke for instigating abuses on this subreddit. #Modscantbewrong"

2

u/br094 Apr 23 '19

I bet a top post in there is an admin.

27

u/poliguy25 Apr 23 '19

The admins... they lurk among us...

11

u/SanderTheSleepless Apr 23 '19

You're way too nice to be an engineer. Agh no! My stereotypes!

24

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

My people skills make me a better engineer. Reset your stereotypes!

7

u/SanderTheSleepless Apr 23 '19

I'll try turning them off and on again. Oh, well. manual replacement time!

5

u/Thoqqu Apr 23 '19

So... you can lurk among us regular uses if you want to and we have no way of knowing about it...?

Just like the lizard overlords.

3

u/playhy Apr 23 '19

Just like being a moderator then i presume? So admins are just fancy moderators?

3

u/astraladventures Apr 23 '19

TIL, read letters means the person is a mod. And a mod can choose to be "invisible". What is the red hat looking symbol after a mod's username?

3

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Surely you ALWAYS show it to flex on us commoners?

2

u/vpsj Apr 23 '19

Ah, so you can enable and disable God ki at will. Good to know

2

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Oooh, So kinda like being the moderator of a subreddit.

Edit: Are you able to hire anyone? Like literally just type my name into your computer and boom I’m an admin, or is it more complex than that (probably just an interview or something).

1

u/hectorduenas86 Apr 23 '19

So is that like a sexual orientation thing?

1

u/RiotIsBored Apr 23 '19

Hang on.. How many times do people not get noticed as admins then? Are they constantly chatting to people in the comments and we never realise?

2

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

All the time! I'm super active in a lot of subs that have no idea I'm an admin. I've only got "outed" as an admin in a random thread once.

2

u/RiotIsBored Apr 24 '19

Wow, so I've probably talked to and shitposted with admins before and not realised?

That also explains why I only ever see admins on r/askreddit "Admin" threads.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Can you make my username purple or something ? I feel like I deserve a purple username.

247

u/Tentacle_Schoolgirl Apr 23 '19

I assume it's like with mods, there's a distinguish button

48

u/Avermerian Apr 23 '19

Is there a special gold button as well or am I being whooshed?

149

u/Turtle08atwork Apr 23 '19

Not for you there's not.

20

u/Cocomorph Apr 23 '19

Yeah, it counts modulo 2!

Shit.

4

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

You done fucked up

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1

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Shit Oh lucky me

3

u/iBleeedorange Apr 23 '19

There is one for some admins. Not sure if they can all do it, but some can give away platnium/gold/silver.

2

u/HodorHodorHodor69 Apr 23 '19

Please, the peasants don’t get gold buttons

1

u/HodorHodorHodor69 Apr 23 '19

Please, the peasants don’t get gold buttons

2

u/jellysmacks Apr 23 '19

Admins are gay?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Yeah, rainbow on/off.

1

u/_Pebcak_ Apr 23 '19

FWIW, so can Reddit mods. We can be green if we want, on subs that we mod.

1

u/Lolicon_des Apr 23 '19

Just like how /u/hey_its_griff is unmodded all the time.

1

u/hey_its_griff Apr 23 '19

throooowback

1

u/skav2 Apr 23 '19

De red it

1

u/kamitopher Apr 23 '19

Bahahahah

0

u/Yonath_ Apr 23 '19

Nope it’s a fake account, he doesn’t have the same karma xD

266

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

[deleted]

967

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Magic.

569

u/DarkHoundOne Apr 23 '19

SingShredCode : reality can be whatever I want

343

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Please don't give away my secrets.

15

u/Bjumseskat Apr 23 '19

You can't tell us what to do because I can see on the color of that name that you're not an admin🤠

6

u/DinoAlbatross Apr 23 '19

u/SingShredCode's SECRETS! TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE!

1

u/CommutesByChevrolegs Apr 23 '19

I identify as Admin on Tuesdays.

I identify as peasant on not Tuesdays.

-Admins, probably

44

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

[deleted]

43

u/R____I____G____H___T Apr 23 '19

Serious answer: They can decide whether or not to officially post as an admin, with the symbol included. Activate/deactivate.

31

u/PazuzuUsedToFly Apr 23 '19

A man has many faces

2

u/BraveOthello Apr 23 '19

Same as mods in a subreddit, but site-wide

11

u/Turtle08atwork Apr 23 '19

Illusions, Michael.

1

u/MrchntMariner86 Apr 23 '19

A trick is something a whore does for money.

3

u/Chronost1 Apr 23 '19

I was looking for the red to identify you by, so I looked over your other comments at first. Keep the red on, it looks cool.

2

u/johnnydangerjt Apr 23 '19

Any chance you could make mine red. Just for a second? Pretty please 😁

2

u/MoarDakkaGoodSir Apr 23 '19

It's like the Reddit equivalent of this.

So do you have to click a checkbox to enable red-text or something?

1

u/partiera Apr 23 '19

Scrolled down looking for magic, that was fulfilling

1

u/DownAirShine Apr 23 '19

WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT SAYING THE M WORD IN OUR HOUSE?!

4

u/MrPurple998 Apr 23 '19

He change it.

26

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

She*

4

u/SammiDane Apr 23 '19

I have a simple question for you, what do you do as an admin?

Idk if you are just gonna say administrate but that would be funny

12

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

I’m a software engineer, with a focus in administrating.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Which languages do you use most? Got a blog or a git? Written any tutorials?

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u/absentmindedjwc Apr 23 '19

You guys work remote, or all in an office? Depending on the answer, I may be tempted to apply, haha.

Signed,

An engineering manager in Chicago

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u/vahntitrio Apr 23 '19

You can "distinguish" a post. That's how mods make comments appear green.

From the mod team meeting, speaking with admins, they are allowed to distinguish comments, but every admin distinguish is logged and thus could be reviewed by other admins, so they use it very sparingly.

1

u/ExplodingToasterOven Apr 23 '19

That's HTML 101, but you'll need to go back to 1994 to learn all that. :D The time vortex will be forming above your head any minute. Say Hi to John Titor for me while your back there. And pick me up a Voodoo 4 card. ;)

1

u/Neosovereign Apr 23 '19

Likely the same reason mods can make their comments green or not.

A little button says "distinguish", the admins have something similar.

1

u/hhhnnnnnggggggg Apr 23 '19

It's the same as mods. You go back to the post to distinguish it.

2

u/pilottroll Apr 23 '19

Do you guys have a special version of Reddit?

2

u/Drauxus Apr 23 '19

How do you get a job/internship working for Reddit?

3

u/SingShredCode Apr 23 '19

Find out here https://www.reddit.com/r/cscareerquestions/comments/8na87e/were_reddit_engineers_here_to_answer_your/

2

u/Drauxus Apr 23 '19

Thanks! I wish I had thought to apply for an internship when the application was open :( I guess I'll have to wait till next year.

1

u/Quinn_The_Strong Apr 23 '19

You must do a lot of forwarding, then.

1

u/Jewishcracker69 Apr 23 '19

If you don’t mind me asking, what type of engineer are you?

1

u/KikiFlowers Apr 23 '19

Do you ever just want to shut the site down for 5 minutes and see how many people beg for it to come back?

1

u/donaltman3 Apr 23 '19

delegate.. I like it !!!

1

u/moreON Apr 23 '19

You have a team that you forward webcomics to? That just seems very strange. ... Or at least just that one specific webcomic.

1

u/MacMacfire Apr 23 '19

I’m an engineer, so that’s not my main job.

I'm an engineer, and that means I solve problems. Not problems like "is this inappropriate for the site?" because that would fall within the purview of your conundrums of moderation.
I'm sorry I couldn't resist.

1

u/cameronbates1 Apr 23 '19

Or edit comments without telling people?

0

u/itsDANdeeMAN Apr 23 '19

did you honestly expect them to admit to that?

56

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Micheal is clearly in their username yet you still address them as "ma'am"

40

u/DingDongMichaelHere Apr 23 '19

Oh my name isn’t Michael tho. I am a male, but my name isn’t Michael. My name is Finn. I just used “DingDongMichaelHere” from a Dong video. Dong is anoter youtube channel from Vsauce.

20

u/eshinn Apr 23 '19

Funny. My name on PUBG is Finn, also my real name is also not Michael.

Wonder if we’re related.

19

u/M4xusV4ltr0n Apr 23 '19

My name is also not Michael or Finn, and I don't even play PUBG! We're definitely related.

5

u/agentdanascullyfbi Apr 23 '19

My dog's name is Finn, wonder if you're him.

2

u/eshinn Apr 23 '19

No, but I had a red-haired Pomeranian that looked like a fox named Mulder.

1

u/agentdanascullyfbi Apr 23 '19

My day's better for having read that, thank you.

1

u/SchruteBuckaroo Apr 23 '19

My dog’s name is Finn too. I wonder if he’s him.

2

u/Cleavon_Littlefinger Apr 23 '19

from a Dong video

I see you're a connoisseur of the NSFW side of Reddit too....

1

u/MrchntMariner86 Apr 23 '19

Oh, you mean the Bearded Nun!

-2

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19 edited Apr 23 '19

The admin still assumed your gender

5

u/DoYouLikeHurting Apr 23 '19

Good thing most sane people don't care if their gender gets assumed on the internet. :)

-2

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

It's still unprofessional, especially for a site admin.

3

u/BushyWeen Apr 23 '19

Didnt realize this site was for professionals

1

u/DoYouLikeHurting Apr 23 '19

I'll be honest with ya, mate:

Who actually fuckin cares? Christ.

10

u/olmsted Apr 23 '19

Not super common, but I have met a couple female Michaels.

7

u/prplx Apr 23 '19

Admin can tell your sex, even if you hide behind a username. They also know your political affiliation, your yearly income, and how many cats you own.

28

u/wayneofpayne Apr 23 '19

It's.. MA'AM

13

u/stinku_skunku Apr 23 '19

Maybe read it as Michel in typical neckbeard haste.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Did you just assume their gender?!?!

1

u/audigex Apr 23 '19

Michael can be a male or female name.

It's most commonly a male name, but not exclusively

3

u/canihazdabook Apr 23 '19

I know it isn't all fun and r/eyebleach, but sounds like an interesting job.

3

u/Bastyriou Apr 23 '19

Do you work in a reddit owned office or from home?? Legit question

2

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19 edited Jun 04 '21

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19 edited Apr 25 '19

[deleted]

1

u/visjn Apr 23 '19

How dare you

1

u/sharksnrec Apr 23 '19

I’d wager that u/DingDongMichaelHere is more of a sir

1

u/Psych_edelia Apr 23 '19

How do you guys find so much time to do stuff other than ban literal hate subreddits?

1

u/christophurr Apr 23 '19

How much money do you make?

1

u/MrChip53 Apr 24 '19

I think she meant, "At reddit, do you actually work?"

1

u/Purp_My_Nurp Apr 23 '19

Did you just assume someone's gender?

1

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Did you just assume their gender?

How do you work at Reddit with that kind of sexist attitude?

30

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Yeah that’s why their name is red

6

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

[deleted]

5

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

Are you using a particular app? On most apps and PC, admins are red, mods are green and OP is blue.

5

u/[deleted] Apr 23 '19

You can tell he does since his name is red

3

u/DingleTheDongle Apr 23 '19

I like your username

3

u/stabby_joe Apr 23 '19

Was the username in a colour you've never seen or the [A] for admin next to their name or the fact they're answering a question for admins not enough of a clue?

But them saying yes, that's enough.