The one issue with social networks isn't necessarily the raw numbers, but rather what apps to your critical users use? We already know tons of subreddit mods use 3rd party apps for better tools. Power users -- often those more likely to generate content -- are also more likely to use third party tools. General consumers are more likely to use the first-party tool. What happens if there's a dramatic drop in content generation, or subreddits get overrun with spam? The relationship is often complex because the user base isn't homogeneous.

That said, as I get older I realize more and more that just because someone is running a company, it doesn't mean they have any actual qualifications to be there. And this might just be a really surface-level evaluation and understanding on behalf of Reddit.