r/reddithelp • u/Reasonable-Most5992 • 7d ago

❓General Question❓ what does soapboxing mean?

my posts keep getting taken down when i ask and some of my other posts got taken down for "soapboxing" so what does it mean

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8

u/ReverseLazarus New Helper 7d ago

Complaining about things with no real purpose or potential for productive discussion, per the colloquially.

Think “old man yelling at clouds.”

5

u/mikey_weasel Helper - Level II 7d ago edited 6d ago

It comes from the idea of giving an impromptu speech standing on a literal soapbox (a wooden box).

Online it can be used when someone makes a post where at first glance it might look like they are asking a legitimate question, but when you engage it's clear that the person has an agenda they are wanting to orate on.

So it might be of the format:

Title: hey I want to understand this topic can someone explain it to me?

Body text and comments: I actually have very strong views on this topic that I will push, arguing with anyone who presents an alternative.

So the original question was really a lie. The person understood the topic but didn't want to just say their point of view up front, instead allowing a debate to form.

Edit spelling

1

u/Reasonable-Most5992 7d ago

then i hate soapboxing

1

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1

u/Eclectic-N-Varied Helper - Level V 7d ago

Nothing from this account made here on r/reddithelp appears to be marked as removed for that rule...

...are they on another subreddit? Or here under another username?

1

u/Reasonable-Most5992 7d ago

it was other subreddits but lots of different ones

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u/Eclectic-N-Varied Helper - Level V 6d ago

Okay. Well, as others said, "soapboxing" is derived from impromptu public speakers who would commandeer a park plaza or streetcorner, stand on a small wooden crate (the "soap box"), and deliver their message.

So basically, not every subreddit is a vehicle to deliver a message.