Reddit.com takes to Youtube with new original video series

While not everyone in the world has heard of reddit.com, it is hard to find even the most detached Internet user who hasn't come across something that originally made its way from the social media website. If there was something on the Internet that you found interesting or funny, chances are it was already posted on reddit. The San Francisco-based website bills itself as the "frontpage of the internet" and allows users to submit all sorts of content like current news stories, photographs, and videos for other users to "upvote" and comment on.

Another important feature of reddit.com is the ability to submit simple text posts confined entirely to the reddit website. These posts offer none of the sweet upvote "karma" that URL linked posts have, but does help to distinguish the site from many other aggregated content websites out there by offering an impromptu forum for discussion. User-created "subreddits" like /r/IAmA and /r/AskReddit have been hugely popular and have even given internet dwellers the chance to interact and speak directly with people like Barack Obama and Bill Gates.

One mildly popular subreddit that takes advantage of a text-only post requirement is the sometimes hilarious, but ever-informational /r/explainlikeimfive. This part of the site is focused on exactly what it's titled, explaining complex concepts or ideas as if they are being told to a five-year-old. Today, subreddit moderator anonymous123421 put up a post announcing a new partnership between the reddit admins and Youtube to fund and produce an original comedy series called, "Explain Like I'm Five".

Reddit.com General Manager Eric Martin posted about their inspiration behind the new Youtube project, saying:

"We at reddit HQ are big fans of /r/explainlikeimfive and although we know that this sub is for "simple, layman-friendly answers, without fear of judgement", we always wondered what would happen if you actually tried to break down one of these complicated subjects and explain it to literal five-year-old."

The videos take three ideas: the war in Syria, the volatility of the stock market, and Friederich Nietzsche's Existentialism and literally teaches the basic concepts to a group of children. The reactions of the kids and the ultimate result of each video is a great combination of what I would call informational comedy. Known for its ability to spur philanthropic action through its users, reddit.com makes sure to end every video with a PSA about the charity website DonorsChoose.org, which allows donors to choose the supplies that they give to school teachers.

For a little bit of fun and entertainment at the expense of children's innocence, check out the videos below:

Explain Like I'm Five: The Crisis in Syria

Explain Like I'm Five: The Volatility of the Stock Market

Explain Like I'm Five: Existentialism and Friederich Nietzsche