I’ve noticed in a lot of discussion threads on here people randomly write 1515 or variants of it (such as 15151515 etc.), usually at the end of their comment but also sometimes in the title of the original post. But it’s never explained or enquired about, so I’m wondering: (1) is it some sort of “in joke” that only longtime members understand? (2) is it a technical malfunction with the website and in reality no-one is deliberately typing it? (3) is it a technical malfunction with just my computer? (4) worst case scenario, am I hallucinating it?
When you reply to a thread, the software requires a minumum of 15 characters in the answer. So people use 1515 to fill the requirement if they make a one word answer or too short an answer. A lot of people will actually write
“15 characters.”
But actually you can write any word or words you want to fill in.
15 is a quarter of 60. 60 is an integer, whole number, and rational number. We’re actually mathematicians; in disguise. Please forward all of your arithmetic
Schizophrenics on this website believe by writing 1515 we are contacting the dead and they are able to view our posts 1515 is also used for living sacrifices
Okay so this is from like 5 years ago, when we first instituted the blanket ban on religious discussions. Some users were very upset with us, and other users teased them by pretending to be outraged that they couldn’t talk about their “religion” Potatoism. Over time, that became the official fake religion of the forum. Potatoists believe in the Great Potato, who may one day deliver us to his starchy kingdom. It has since evolved into a long running joke or a way to get around the religion ban. Since the great potato isn’t a real religion, people sometimes invoke his name instead of referring to an actual deity. Sort of like pastafarianism.
Edited to add: I believe @Nomad gets credit for starting the potato thing
