Barack Obama Takes the Internet's Questions on Reddit
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President Barack Obama answered questions today on the popular internet forum Reddit.
CREDIT: @BarackObama on Twitter |
President Barack Obama is taking public questions on Reddit — or was, 15 minutes ago. As of 5:11 pm Eastern, Reddit staff have set Obama's thread to a read-only mode because of heavy traffic.
Starting today (Aug. 29) at 4:30 p.m. EDT, Obama submitted a verified introductory post to the "Ask Me Anything" section of the popular forum, which often incubates viral Internet memes. Obama's thread soon attracted thousands of comments. He has answered a select few, including queries on his thoughts about Internet privacy, space funding, White House-brewed beer and his favorite basketball player. Find all of his answers under the username PresidentObama.
The president is campaigning in Charlottesville, Va., and took to the so-called "front page of the Internet" after a rally there, he wrote.
"This is an example of how technology and the internet can empower the sorts of conversations that strengthen our democracy over the long run," he said. "By the way, if you want to know what I think about this whole reddit experience - NOT BAD!"
In its day-to-day operation, Reddit may be best known for funny pictures, vicious comments and other bits of Internet flotsam, but it occasionally exerts outsize effects on culture both online and off. Most recently, the site made headlines in July, when one Reddit member broke the news of the movie theater shootings in Colorado, then continued to offer updates throughout the night.
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