Ever wondered what would happen if you let thousands of strangers decide the next step in your electronics project? That’s exactly what’s playing out in the “Top Comment Gets Added” series on Reddit—and it’s every bit as chaotic (and entertaining) as you might imagine.
The Story Behind “Top Comment Gets Added”
On r/diyelectronics, user ScienceDraco started a fun experiment with a simple rule: whatever the top comment says each day, gets added to their breadboard project. It started innocently enough—but as is always the case with the internet, things got weird fast.
The latest twist? One commenter suggested giving a fish a capacitor and blowing it up (the capacitor, that is), adding “it needs a rocket engine.” ScienceDraco quickly replied that for everyone’s safety—including the fish—the explosion wasn’t going to happen. The result? A 680uF 16V capacitor remains peacefully intact and the fish is still hanging out on the breadboard.
Why Community-Driven Builds Are So Entertaining
There’s something special about letting an online crowd steer your project. Here are a few reasons why “top comment gets added” threads capture so much attention:
- Unpredictability: You never know what wild idea will top the list.
- Collaboration: Everyone feels involved—even if their suggestion isn’t chosen.
- Education: Unusual requests lead to creative problem-solving (and teach everyone something new).
- Humor: Some ideas are so off-the-wall you can’t help but laugh.
And in this case? The ongoing saga of whether or not the fish will escape its breadboard home keeps folks checking back in for the next update.
The Role of Safety (and Sanity) in Experimental Threads
Let’s be clear—just because someone suggests blowing up a capacitor doesn’t mean you should do it. ScienceDraco made the right call by prioritizing safety for both themselves and their aquatic companion. Capacitors can release energy very suddenly and explosively if misused. If you’re ever tempted to try something similar at home (with or without audience participation), remember:
- Always read component ratings and safety warnings.
- Avoid mixing electricity with living creatures—no fish deserve that fate!
- If you’re unsure about an idea’s safety, don’t risk it.
In fact, this thread has turned into an unexpected lesson in responsible tinkering.
Anecdote from My Own Crowdsourced Build
A while back, I ran my own version of “top comment gets added” for a Raspberry Pi project. I asked friends what weird add-ons I should include. By day three I had blinking disco lights and an old toy train motor taped to my desk—not exactly practical but definitely memorable! The best part was watching everyone cheer for their favorite ideas and seeing how far outside my comfort zone I could go. It turns out that sometimes the joy isn’t in building something useful—it’s just about building together.
What’s Next for This Breadboard Fish?
ScienceDraco promises another update soon—and if you’ve got strong feelings about whether that fish deserves freedom from its breadboard domain, now’s your chance to have your say. Just leave a comment and hope it rises to the top spot!
It’ll be interesting to see where this crowdsourced adventure goes next. Will reason prevail—or will another wild suggestion take center stage?
So here’s my question for you: If you could add anything (safely!) to this strange little project, what would it be?
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