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We all know @reddit as one of the places where most of the internets' top stories are born.
This is the tale of one of those stories, told by its founder, @alexisohanian .
Get ready to meet Mr. Splashy Pants, the WHALE that managed to stop the Japanese government. A THREAD
This is the tale of one of those stories, told by its founder, @alexisohanian .
Get ready to meet Mr. Splashy Pants, the WHALE that managed to stop the Japanese government. A THREAD
If you don't know what @reddit is, the best definition would be a "democratic front-page of the best stuff on the web".
How does it work?
1 - Find interesting content
2 - Submit it
3 - People upvote or downvote
4 - Content moves up or down the ladder
How does it work?
1 - Find interesting content
2 - Submit it
3 - People upvote or downvote
4 - Content moves up or down the ladder
But this is not about @reddit, this is actually about humpback whales.
@Greenpeace wanted to stop the Japanese government's whaling campaign (whales getting killed)
The idea was to put a tracking chip inside one of the whales. And, to personify the movement, they needed a name.
@Greenpeace wanted to stop the Japanese government's whaling campaign (whales getting killed)
The idea was to put a tracking chip inside one of the whales. And, to personify the movement, they needed a name.
So, they put together a poll, where they had some very thoughtful names like:
- Anahi (the Farsi word for "immortal.")
- Or Kaimana ("divine power of the ocean" in a Polynesian language.)
And then there was "Mister Splashy Pants."
- Anahi (the Farsi word for "immortal.")
- Or Kaimana ("divine power of the ocean" in a Polynesian language.)
And then there was "Mister Splashy Pants."
Someone on @reddit decided to ask people to upvote Splashy as a name.
The thread became insta-popular. Even Reddit changed the logo for a day! Plus, some other popular pages at the time got behind the proposal too.
The internet was saying "We love Splashy Pants!"
The thread became insta-popular. Even Reddit changed the logo for a day! Plus, some other popular pages at the time got behind the proposal too.
The internet was saying "We love Splashy Pants!"
Early on, MrSplashy Pants had 5% of the votes on the poll.
After the @reddit thread, that number rose to 70%.
@Greenpeace wasn't happy about it, so they gave to one more week to vote.
After the @reddit thread, that number rose to 70%.
@Greenpeace wasn't happy about it, so they gave to one more week to vote.
Reddit wasn't happy about that, so Splashy became angry Splashy as they changed their logo again.
The rest of the Internet got behind this. The idea: "Vote your conscience, vote for Mister Splashy Pants."
By the time of the final vote, the percentage was 78%.
The rest of the Internet got behind this. The idea: "Vote your conscience, vote for Mister Splashy Pants."
By the time of the final vote, the percentage was 78%.
Instead of being a sore loser, @Greenpeace decided to embrace the new name.
They created Splashy merch (shirts, pins) and even an e-card for Christmas.
Due to the huge attention, the Japanese gov was forced to call off their whaling expeditions. Yay!
They created Splashy merch (shirts, pins) and even an e-card for Christmas.
Due to the huge attention, the Japanese gov was forced to call off their whaling expeditions. Yay!
Lessons learned in @alexisohanian words:
â–şThe Internet provides a level playing field: Your link is as good as my link
â–şIt costs nothing to get content online. Post.
â–şBe genuine. Be honest, up-front.
â–şFor brands: Message is no longer top to bottom. Be OK with losing control
â–şThe Internet provides a level playing field: Your link is as good as my link
â–şIt costs nothing to get content online. Post.
â–şBe genuine. Be honest, up-front.
â–şFor brands: Message is no longer top to bottom. Be OK with losing control
Hopefully you enjoyed the thread and Mr Splashy Pants story.
If you did, please, like and RT the first post so more people can see it!
The original source: @alexisohanian 2009 TED talk https://www.ted.com/talks/alexis_ohanian_how_to_make_a_splash_in_social_media
If you did, please, like and RT the first post so more people can see it!
The original source: @alexisohanian 2009 TED talk https://www.ted.com/talks/alexis_ohanian_how_to_make_a_splash_in_social_media
