Hell will freeze over before they change course. "It's all in the game." to quote one of my favourite series ever.

Is this a recent change to deter people from complaining?

Most definetly. Could also be a technical necessity if they got spammed hard (as they should).

As far as I can see, the real number is already on top of the post. And then you have the split of up/downvotes near the arrows. So the "algorithm" is just basic addidion and subtraction. Someone correct me if I saw something wrong...

Yeah. I meant pointless in the sense of "we as the reddit community want to change the companies business strategy shortly before an IPO".

You being brought here (same as me) through the backlash-posts is great. But unless certain highly frequented subs go dark PERMANENTLY I dont see much that could sway the reddit leadership towards a more community friendly approach.

They took my RiF. The CEO seems like an absolute bastard. It got more and more toxic over the years. I can take some abuse but this was a bit too much. If it continues to be popular I'll use it for information gathering just like always, but they wont get any content, interaction or ad revenue from me.

This blackout thing, while surely sending a message, will be pointless in the end imo. The bosses have decided how they want to proceed and that's that.

Heck, I might even quit the lurkin' life if the trend stays that positive hehe.

It all reminds me a bit of the good old times of early reddit. People who are ready for conversation, relatively few trolling (and worse) and just a community or rather communities in the truest sense of the word.

But also I dont know how it is from a mods perspective.

I am enjoying it so far. I usually tend to lurk but the community is, as many have said, very welcoming and it creates an atmosphere where it encourages you to contribute (not just with up/downvotes but also comments).

I've got my politics, I've got my world news, techstuff, gaming & memes. I'd like to see picture subs like earthporn more populated. They're currently pretty empty. Also missing content in my regional Austria sub but that will solve itself if the reddit exodus continues.

In all seriousness: I am trying. Hard to break the habit of lurking. But on the other hand I'll often upvote something, so thats engagement right there :-)

edit: also since someone said "less memes" - I'd recommend you this watch on the topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

If you want me to comment, there will be SOME memes. Heck, look at OP's handle, how did you expect me NOT to do it? :O

that seems like the sad truth.

Honestly, with all the shit this disgusting wannabe dictator has already gotten away with, I'll hold on to celebrations until there is some kind of definitive verdict.

And dont get me started on the sentence even IF they convict him for something. He's old, he's rich, he probably still has some buddies in higher places - I'd be absolutely surprised if he would go to a genpop prison. - Even though thats exactly what he would deserve the most.