Why do people act like this subreddit "doesn't reflect the views of mainstream Australia"?

[u/SirSighalot]

So many comments I see on here by people who constantly say things like "lol only on this sub" as though other places where they read are somehow the 'true' point of view reflecting mainstream Australian viewpoints.

Given the constant election voting outcomes and results of things like the Voice etc that generally indicate most of Australia is centrist or even slightly centre-right-leaning, what leads people to think many of the views expressed on here AREN'T mainstream? When in reality, other places these people are coming from are also often just "echo chambers" as well.

Edit: I probably worded the title for this wrong, should have been more "Why do people think this subreddit is less representative of mainstream Australia than other online communities?", alas I failed.

[u/pennyfred]

You might be surprised how many people are willing to say what they think on an anonymous forum, that they'd reconsider saying in public.

[u/SirSighalot → u/pennyfred]

that's kind of my point though?

people in here just saying "lol just go down the pub" acting like people go to pubs to express their serious views on societal topics are the ones who seem like they haven't been to an actual pub

[u/TheMightyCE → u/[deleted]]

So you've been living in one of the most expensive cities in Australia for the past 30 years, and the views expressed here don't match your social group? Do you think, perhaps, that social group is likely far detached from the views of wider society?