Reddits social experiment ‘the button’ has been driving the internet crazy

AT first ‘the button’ seemed like an April Fools’ joke, but it’s now 13 days later and this social experiment is still holding momentum.

AT first “the button” seemed like an April Fools’ joke.

Now, 13 days later, Reddit’s social experiment is still holding momentum.

The button feature was added to Reddit on April 1 and contains a timer which counts down from 60 seconds to zero.

However, every time the button is pushed, the timer is reset.

Although Reddit users have been speculating the reason for the experiment, no one knows its specific purpose.

Additionally, no one is aware what will happen when the countdown reaches zero because the timer is yet to fall below 29 seconds.

Redditors can only use the feature if they were a member of the website before April 1 and they can only push the button once.

As of this afternoon, over 711,000 members have pushed the button.

The color coding system.

Since its inception, members have received coloured circles next to their username which indicate how long they waited to push the button.

Those who don’t push the button receive a grey circle, while those who give in to temptation receive circles ranging from purple all the way down to red.

To date, no one has waited past the time restrictions of yellow meaning there are no orange or red circles floating around Reddit.

However, one can only assume interest will eventually disappear and the true purpose of the button will be revealed.

Think about this: for the past 12 days someone on Earth has pressed a button every 30 sec or so. http://t.co/7ALLYeWB7i #TheButton @reddit

— Zach's Mind (@ZachsMind) April 13, 2015

The fact that I've been watching #thebutton for 11 days is starting to concern me.

— ConvertToChris (@converttochris) April 12, 2015

I only date people who have not pressed #TheButton

— Pyro (@Pyrao) April 11, 2015

My brother's aiming for a red. If he ends up with a purple he is no longer my brother in my eyes. #sorryboutit #TheButton

— Maisie Williams (@Maisie_Williams) April 10, 2015