What separates this subreddit from other similar ones is its focus on authenticity. As the moderators of r/weird wrote in its rules, this community is not a substitute for 'What is X', AI-generated content, and artwork "you" made subreddits.

So to get a better understanding of it, we contacted the team looking after r/weird, and one of its members was kind enough to have a little chat with us.

"Maintaining the subreddit is an important task," they told Bored Panda. "While r/weird embraces the unconventional and the bizarre, there are still certain guidelines and rules in place to ensure a positive and respectful environment for everyone."

According to the moderator, some common problems that require their attention include:

Spam: "Removing repetitive or irrelevant posts and comments that are purely self-promotional or aim to manipulate the subreddit for personal gain."

Inappropriate content: "Addressing posts or comments that contain explicit or offensive material, including hate speech, personal attacks, or explicit imagery."

Off-Topic posts: "Keeping the subreddit focused on weird and unusual content by removing posts that do not align with the subreddit's theme."

Low-quality posts: "Encouraging users to share content that sparks curiosity and discussion, and removing low-effort or low-quality posts that don't contribute to the overall experience."

If we ask ourselves what scares us, what keeps us up at night after we watch a horror movie or has us rushing to lock our doors after reading a scary novel, we might come up with an easy and obvious answer to these questions: we are afraid of things and people we don't understand.

And this subreddit is full of them.

"The community of r/weird is diverse and passionate about exploring the unconventional and the peculiar," the moderator of the subreddit said. "Members are often intrigued by the strange, the unexplained, and the outlandish. 

However, when you're dealing with 938k people, naturally, not all of them have the same definitions.

"While there is a general understanding of what qualifies as 'weird,' interpretations may vary among individuals," the mod said. But that's not a bad thing. On the contrary.

"This diversity of perspectives adds to the richness of the community, as members often share their own unique findings, experiences, and opinions, expanding the boundaries of what is considered weird."

"In terms of engagement and interest, r/weird members typically respond well to posts that capture their curiosity and challenge their understanding of the world," the moderator said.

Some types of posts that tend to receive significant engagement include:

Unusual or supernatural experiences: "Stories and accounts of paranormal encounters, strange coincidences, or other inexplicable phenomena often attract attention and spark discussions among members."

Rare and bizarre discoveries: "Unearthed artifacts, odd historical facts, or peculiar occurrences that are not widely known tend to generate interest, as they offer new and intriguing information."

Unique art and creativity: "Original artworks, sculptures, music, or other creative endeavors that embrace the weird and unconventional can garner appreciation and inspire conversations within the community."

Scientific and historic oddities: "Scientific discoveries or phenomena that defy conventional explanations or challenge existing knowledge often capture the interest of r/weird members who enjoy exploring the boundaries of what is considered normal."

"Overall, r/weird is a community that thrives on the unconventional and encourages members to embrace and share their own peculiarities, fostering an environment of open-mindedness and fascination for the strange," the moderator concluded.