Internet communities have become so pervasive and mainstream at this point that they are often given the credence and respect of legitimate organizations. When people want up-to-the-minute information, they look to Twitter or Reddit like one might check a ticker tape machine. It’s only when you take a step back and look at the username of your source (perhaps SmokeIt420 or digimonfan6969) that you realize, “Wait a minute. This is all very dumb.”
But dumb usernames aside, random people on the internet can still come through with a big scoop, forcing boring, real-world humans to apologize for ever doubting them. That’s exactly what happened this week when the Chicago White Sox announced they were trading pitcher Jose Quintana to the Cubs, much to the surprise of the media, including the local station CSN Chicago, who wrote:
In today’s digital age, it’s rare — maybe even unprecedented — for a trade of this magnitude to fly under the radar until it’s finalized and announced. But the White Sox and Cubs managed to do just that while pulling off a trade that could alter the landscape of baseball in this city for the next decade.
However, unbeknownst to these sports network squares, Reddit user wetbutt23 broke the story Wednesday night, forcing CSN Chicago to return, hat in hand, and seek forgiveness from this learned sage.
With reliable insider information like this, there’s no doubt wetbutt23 will be getting his own late-night sports roundup show on CSN any day now. We can only assume KatyPerrysBootyHole will be slated as the first guest.