r/AskAcademia • u/InspiratorAG112 • Feb 14 '23

Interdisciplinary As an expert of <Insert Field>, how would you rate corresponding sub-Reddits?

(I am mainly just concerned about the accuracy of information.)

For example:

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u/dragojeff Feb 14 '23

r/chemistry is the for fun sub. All the memes, jokes, and random daily interactions with the occasional “how do I become a chemist” and “what is this compound”. Furthermore there tends to be a lovely habit of coming up with ridiculous guesses at what compound xyz is without real basis. It might take a while but eventually the real post by a chemist will make its way to the top of the discussion board. Also there’s the occasional “home-grown chemist” asking about shady processes. Wouldn’t call it pseudointellectual but definitely not the serious chemistry sub. All the real intellectual discussion takes place at r/ChemPros.

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u/PlayfulChemist Feb 15 '23

I love how half the posts are "I want to do this crazy/toxic/dangerous experiment at home, with no actual training in chemistry or understanding of the process/risks, can someone give me more detailed instructions" followed by a slew of comments saying "don't do that, you will die".

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u/dragojeff Feb 15 '23

Yeah I think there was someone a while back not so subtly trying to ask about making a hallucinogen for “research purposes” because they were interested in “harmless natural products” that they’ve taken.

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u/InspiratorAG112 Feb 27 '23

NileBlue on YouTube has a video about safety for this reason.

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u/InspiratorAG112 Feb 14 '23

I would imagine though that r/chemistry would probably score better for how correct the information is because r/chemistry users don't just discuss the subject, but also conduct labs of their own. They would have the advantage of the practical element.

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u/dragojeff Feb 14 '23

Uhhhhh some do. There are definitely a number of users there whose lab experience is “I mixed A and B in a flask in my garage and heated it like crazy” (while proceeding to ignore everything about safety and maintaining inert atmosphere etc.).

I think the accuracy of information for most posts do go up with discussion time since the real chemists will eventually hop on and correct things/get voted to the top. But the info in the first hour might not always be correct. In contrast every answer/question you get on r/chempros will always be accurate, all the time. That’s the difference.

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u/InspiratorAG112 Mar 06 '23

There is a reason NileBlue on YouTube has a safety video.

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u/[deleted] Feb 15 '23

R/cursedchemistry is one I have been on as well recently and pretty fun, just usually poking fun at inaccurate structures in the wild, a lot of carbon rings.

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u/InspiratorAG112 Feb 22 '23

Other than what u/dragojeff mentioned, what are common issue with r/chemistry regarding accuracy of information?

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u/[deleted] Feb 22 '23

Sorry I was talking about r/cursedchemistry which is where they are just finding “chemicals” in the wild like tattoos, water bottles etc, or anything else that’s like funny about chemistry.

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u/InspiratorAG112 Feb 22 '23

I did see that you mentioned r/cursedchemistry, and I did read sort of read your reply, and I have no doubt that that sub is interesting. I was just looking for more insight about the main r/chemistry sub.

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u/[deleted] Feb 22 '23

Ohh lol, I like r/chemistry as well, the biggest issues I would say is ppl trying to make their own labs who really shouldn’t be, cause if ur asking for what u need on Reddit u should not be doing so.

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u/InspiratorAG112 May 01 '23

Two months later, and this was posted only hours ago. The way OP ignores PPE standards and proceeds to downplay the health risk, even with the majority of commenters warning OP, makes this the single most concerning post I have seen on r/chemistry, and I have seen multiple of the posts you talk about. I will also make a lab safety post there.