The subreddit r/TumblrInAction started out in the early 2010s as a place to mock the sorts of oversimplified social justice posts all over Tumblr, but it quickly became a breeding ground for online hate. On today’s episode, Rachelle and Allegra discuss their own history as Tumblr teens, the simplified and misguided ways Tumblr posts tried to share progressive ideology, and how the culture of one subset of Reddit forums that made fun of those posts eventually led to GamerGate and all sorts of online harassment tactics.
Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Derek John.
Support ICYMI and listen to the show with zero ads. Sign up to become a Slate Plus member for just $1 for your first month.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices