Posting to an open public forum is very diffent than a 1 on 1 conversation. Either way, I’ve often heard and told stories that have come from others. Can you really say you’ve never said “hey I saw/read x” and talk about it? Every interaction doesn’t need to be 100% original in all aspects to be engaging.

On the topic of reddit vs hear. Again I’d say organic doesn’t mean good or bad. And using content from somewhere else to start a conversation isn’t whole cloth good or bad either.

I don’t think the situation is as black and white as you’re portraying it.