Even if you block the ads and ignore them the site is so heavily botted with these bots pushing all sorts of products.

One of the most useful aspects of reddit used to be getting other perspectives on products you were interested in. This is no longer useful because of the massive networks of bot farms. You simply can no longer tell what’s real on that site and what isn’t.

cross-posted from: feddit.org/post/37870004

reddit got bad because spez (the reddit admin) restricted API access to the platform for third-party apps, such that people would be forced to use the official app or web UI, both of which display advertisement and collect user data (e.g. scroll behavior).

the reason why this happened is because reddit is a for-profit company and tries to extract money out of the userbase, at the expense of the users.

another example of a bad decision that reddit made was to push a lot of ragebait (“Am I The Asshole?”) because company shareholders want to see “engagement numbers” go up, and if somebody writes an angry reply to a post, that’s “engagement”. but it makes you angry at the stupidity of the “Asshole”, so it makes your day worse. that is another example how reddit makes money at the expense of the users.

size (number of monthly active users) is not what made reddit bad. commercialization is.

we should probably get rid of the “don’t make lemmy grow, it will ruin the platform if we grow” idea.

@Simplicator it doesn’t apply to ANYTHING about impeachment. It’s not a criminal proceeding.

@Humpleupagus @bajax @sun my taxes should go towards getting me medicine for free and not to israel

His point about phrases like "white/male/etc. privilege", "microagression", and "defund the police" being more divisive than helpful is... interesting. On the one hand, it's good to have succinct terminology for discussing complex ideas -- but it seems valid to ask if we could come up with more precise and descriptive terms, and to wonder where the popular terms came from.

Senate Majority Leader Whip Count - Update 11/11/26

Prospective whip count of 2027 Democratic Senators who are likely to support and oppose Chuck Schumer for Majority Leader. Those listed in opposition have either made public statements he should be replaced, waffled when asked if they would support him, or are known progressives. Those listed as supporters have either stated their support or are pretty solid moderates generally known to be in the Schumer camp.

It reminds me a little of the old internet. I like how relatively small it feels, and that people post content for the sake of the content, not to promote themselves. I haven’t found my usual corners yet, the ones I used to hang out in on older platforms, but I figure that’s just a matter of time. I’m not super nostalgic for the old internet or anything, but it’s nice to find at least a hint of something human-centered somewhere.

I hope it doesn’t fall apart and that it keeps growing.

I was skeptical when I switched to Linux, but then I ditched Windows on my dual boot for good. It was a hugely positive experience, and it really felt like freedom. I’m hoping this will be the same.

And don’t be mad at me if I act totally clueless here sometimes 'cause all that is new to me.

🤣

local multiplayer character

Never underestimate the political significance of having enough time to sit in a park, read a book, drink coffee and exist without producing anything of economic value.

🎵 #NowPlaying on https://labr.online

🎵 An Evening Of 32
🎤 Dj Bodger

#LABR #radio #Fediradio #communityradio #fediwave #music #dj #mixes #house #hiphop #rnb #rock

#WVwx #RLX

@amiserabilist Spiders are fantastic!

LAist: The century-old diner brings back its pancakes and coleslaw, plus new dishes like a fried chicken sandwich. Profits support unhoused Angelenos. https://laist.com/news/food/the-original-pantry-cafe-returns-with-a-new-menu-and-mission

@Humpleupagus @bajax @sun my taxes should go towards getting me medicine for free and not to israel

Borie Kachisei's 'Vision of the Triune Saints'

@samloonie Oh, that sucks.