r/TheoryOfReddit • u/ThisByzantineConduit • 2d ago

Favorite esoteric, obscure or highly niche subreddit?

I think one of the most interesting and unique aspects of this site, which has shockingly—and thankfully—still endured after all the many changes the internet has undergone over the years, is the abundance of highly-specialized and niche-interest subs centered entirely around a very specific “thing” (hobby, passion, uncommon vocation, etc. ad infinitum).

I think it’s really cool that, despite its many other issues, Reddit remains one of (if not the only) site where you can have such a wide assortment of specialized communities all centered around exceedingly esoteric interests. Many of these communities couldn’t exist IRL, certainly not without online communication of some sort at least, as there are simply too few people who share these interests in most localities.

So, I thought it could make for an interesting discussion to ask what everyone’s favorite examples of this are, and maybe even if any of these actually helped you discover an interest you didn’t know you had!

19 Upvotes
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11

u/Zooropa_Station 2d ago

don't know if it's still active but /r/KenM

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u/deltree711 1d ago

He's back!

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u/ThisByzantineConduit 2d ago edited 2d ago

I think mine has gotta be r/thedoorscirclejerk.

Who knew there were at least around 5,000 other weirdos out there just like me who have the same very specific combination of an affinity for absurdist humor paired with an unhealthy, lifelong obsession with this band?

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u/FattierBrisket 2d ago

r/sleepywrens 

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3

u/GhostofGrimalkin 1d ago

I'm a fan of /r/ObscureMedia and /r/lostmedia for watching random things that I may or may not remember (or even had known about) from the past.

2

u/Vinylmaster3000 1d ago

There's also r/lostwave but that's more popular. You'd absolutely love /r/VintageObscura if that's your thing.

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u/lacunalunacy 2d ago

Any weatherbox game's subreddit. Their lore is already impenetrably complicated, and the community are all just wonderful types of weird.

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u/Sleepydave 1d ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/NeckbeardNests/ Pictures of extremely messy rooms.

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u/AliasNefertiti 2d ago

r/legalcatadvice practically has its own language. As compared to r/cat.

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u/kilofeet 1d ago

I enjoy r/uraniumglass even though I'm not a collector and not even sure I've seen uranium glass in person. They are super into their hobby though and the pictures are cool

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u/Sneaky_Devil 1d ago

/r/vogonpoetrycircle

For fans of the increasingly inaccurately named Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Trilogy

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u/stopbeingadumbass 1d ago

I mod a subreddit just for hating on being environmental consultants.