Ask HN: Can Reddit overcome this mess?
2 comments
If Twinkies can make a comeback, then it's completely possible that Reddit can overcome this mess.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen.
Yeah but twinkies are delicious :)
- Lack of mod tools/mod support: A real issue. They can solve this by drastically increasing communications, and working much harder on mod tooling over the next six or more months. They've got off to a good start on communication, but tooling will require more time (and consistent improvement).
- IAMAs: Reddit has "jumped the shark" by committing NOT to go down the paid AMA route. That's a good start. But still no explanation for why they fired their AMA coordinator out of the blue with no backup plan or strategy. The IAMA mod team have, last I read, rejected Reddit Inc.'s replacement for their AMA coordinator, so I don't know how this will wind up getting sorted out.
- Harassing sub ban: Long overdue, welcomed by many, complained about constantly by a vocal minority. These subs existed primarily to harass individuals, and they did daily. YouTubers, people with a public Facebook profile, Twitter users, other Redditors, and even random members of the public. They were also invading other subs regularly causing all types of drama. If all of the die hard users actually left for Voat then Reddit would be a better place. Nothing of value was lost. Also Reddit has banned controversial subs before (Fappening, Jailbait, etc) and the sky didn't fall.
- Ellen Pao: Unfortunately Pao has become a controversial figure within Reddit's community. This was because stories about her kept getting removed from the default subs (namely about her failed sexism lawsuit and her husband's criminal activities). People blamed her for the removals and claimed it was a cover up, and that only made the whole thing worse. In the medium to long term I don't know if she can turn people's opinions about her around, but if she can it is going to be an uphill struggle. There's also the cancer story which I doubt she'll ever be able to get away from (she fired an employee with cancer). Ultimately her time at Reddit might be limited, too much damage to undo now even if some of it wasn't directly her fault, she let the perception remain too long and now it is Reddit "fact."