Would anybody be interested in a new subreddit where you can

[marymsnowden]

I'm calling it r/explainlikeimfive.

This would be a friendly place to ask questions, when Google and Wikipedia still don't make it clear. A place to ask questions that some people might find obvious -- and to do so without fear of being downvoted, made fun of, or ignored. While r/askreddit sometimes has submissions like this, the VAST majority of the subs there are more in the vein of asking for advice like this one or questions that are rhetorical in nature like this one. I want a place specifically for asking the community questions about current events or other topics you'd usually be afraid to ask.

A great example of a question here would be: "Can someone explain the deal with the debt ceiling?" A lot of us may have heard a lot about it in recent news, and despite being fairly well-educated, might not really understand the basic concept. Here's a place to get an answer -- OR, show off your knowledge!

The number one rule here would be simple: Respect. As a submitter (asker), you need to respect the subreddit by being honest and asking good questions. While there are no "dumb" questions here, please don't waste the space by asking questions that are clearly rhetorical in nature. As a replier (answerer), please remember that no matter how simple the question may seem to YOU, the spirit of this subreddit is for people to come here without fear of being condescended to (despite the catchy name of the subreddit.) All parties should politely contribute to the discussion.

All science-related questions would be kindly directed to the awesome folks at r/askscience (from whom I got the inspiration for this idea.)

I really think this could be a great place that would enrich our conversations on Reddit as a whole -- and, possibly even our own personal lives as well. This can be an opportunity to really expand your knowledge so that you can have more enriching discussions with the people in your life. That's the whole idea behind r/explainlikeimfive.

I'd love to hear feedback, thoughts, and suggestions -- and of course if anyone would like to help me moderate, that would be awesome. Thanks for checking it out!

EDIT Wow, thanks for the great response! I'm grateful for all the terrific feedback, and the couple of folks who've offered to help moderate -- we'll need you! ModMail me over at the new subreddit to let me know if you're interested.

As per your suggestions, I'll be adding a couple more rules for the sub:

No Politics in your answers. DISCUSSION of politics is fine, but the blatant advancement of your political agenda (whatever it may be) is not for r/explainlikeimfive. Any such posts will be STRICTLY filtered. Take it to r/politics, please.

No bias. Like the above, there's no real place for this here. This includes religious bias, gender bias, or any other kind of personal bias that detracts from the sole purpose of this subreddit - to spread basic knowledge. These responses will be filtered also.

Please, no blatant speculation. It's okay not to be the world's foremost expert on a subject, but please, if you have absolutely no knowledge on the question at hand, please don't guess.

The above rules will apply to question-askers, too!

Submissions should be tagged something in the subreddit such as (LI5), so we'll know exactly what kind of post we're looking at.

I'll be adding more of your suggestions as they roll in. In the meantime, if you do think this is a good idea, please subscribe and maybe fire off a submission if you feel so inclined. Thanks again!

[ttt]

OK @pixy, what is up with all these weird reddit reposts??

[AJL]

Seriously. Is reddit sending out scouts to recruit?

[y4m]

I think it's Indonesian spammers taking text from existing reddit threads?

[NewOrleans]

Explain like I'm 5 where the fuck you people are coming from and why you want us on Reddit.

[heyjude]

Is proboards getting bought out by Reddit???!!

[ttt]

Jul 23, 2014 21:00:11 GMT -5 y4m said:

I think it's Indonesian spammers taking text from existing reddit threads?

I don't understand the point of this kind of spam. What is the goal??? 

[heyjude]

Mary Snowden. Lol.

[y4m]

Jul 23, 2014 21:00:39 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jul 23, 2014 21:00:11 GMT -5 y4m said:

I think it's Indonesian spammers taking text from existing reddit threads?

I don't understand the point of this kind of spam. What is the goal??? 

You and me both.

[y4m]

Excuse me this one is from Singapore.

[ttt]

Jul 23, 2014 21:02:02 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Mary Snowden. Lol.

At least they kept it PCE related!!

[Deleted]

Okay so you guys sorted this out for me already. Because I'm sitting here thinking who the hell is this twat? Is the NSA playing with us? And why the fuck would I want to go to a subboard on another board?

[josieposy]

Singapore must really like us.

[ttt]

Jul 23, 2014 21:05:46 GMT -5 josieposy said:

Singapore must really like us.

[y4m]

Old reddit thread: www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/j2a9k/would_anybody_be_interested_in_a_new_subreddit/?limit=500

[heyjude]

Hey marymsnowden! Explain like I'm 5! What's with this Israel/Palestine thing?

[ttt]

So is Reddit getting spammed with our old posts??

[pixy0stix]

huh.

[irishbride2]

Jul 23, 2014 21:08:19 GMT -5 ttt said:

So is Reddit getting spammed with our old posts??

"So, explain to me like in 5....which naked pallete should I get ?"

[ttt]

Jul 23, 2014 21:20:47 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

Jul 23, 2014 21:08:19 GMT -5 ttt said:

So is Reddit getting spammed with our old posts??

"So, explain to me like in 5....which naked pallete should I get ?"

In 300 pages or less, please. 

[pixy0stix]

Jul 23, 2014 21:21:28 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jul 23, 2014 21:20:47 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

"So, explain to me like in 5....which naked pallete should I get ?"

In 300 pages or less, please. 

This is not possible.

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

I am definitely interested in this subreddit. This is relevant to my interests.