Regarding the Reddit situation
The current state of Reddit is not only a mess, but difficult to comprehend if not aware. But as a user of that site who is impacted by their change, it’s no surprise as to why they deserve it. For those that don’t know, Reddit is currently down due to a massive protest regarding their API changes. An API, or application programming interface, allows the ability for apps to interact with a site’s (in this case, Reddit) data and tools to customize and moderate a page to their liking. This includes the ability to weed out unnecessary content such as spam, hate speech, and anything out of topic through the use of automated bots. Subreddits, forums that operate under the Reddit platform, are very different from a Tumblr blog in that it allows users to interact with others and lets them post content for “karma”, brownie points that determine your reputation and accepted opinions with like-minded people. For years, Reddit’s API was free to use and the use of third-party apps made it a breeze for moderators to control what went through their subreddit.
Well, that is about to change around the end of June, first of July, thanks in no part due to Reddit’s greed and ignorance of overcharging the use for their API, as well as eliminating the use of third-party apps to interact with the Reddit API. These tools are what allow Reddit mods and automated bots to give you the best experience at your favorite subreddit at the palm of your hands. But with these charges going on hand, that will no longer happen. But the worst part about it is that most, if not all, of these mods are doing this work for free! There is really no reason as to why users and mods should pay Reddit to use a network when the pop-ups and ads already fund the company. It’s already difficult to administer a page. I can only imagine the load of work a mod has to do on a forum while juggling with their own lives. It’s honestly unsustainable.
As a result, Redditors decided to protest these changes by becoming inactive for at least 48 hours. The amount of subreddits going dark has only been increasing ever since and some subreddits are planning to go on an indefinite hiatus. As for the active subreddits, they are also doing their own form of protest, such as posting blank pictures. It’s so bad, that the site has crashed several times and is practically unusable. Many of these subreddits aren’t just small and inactive either. In fact, the most notable subreddits such as r/news have as much as millions of members while other subreddits who have a lot of interaction are also notable members of the protest. As of June 13 of 2023, the site is still feeling the effect. Reddit is imploding itself in a way that’s as bad as Twitter and even Tumblr.
What does this have to do with trans and LGBTQ+? Well, a lot. It’s thanks to these subreddits that played a part on allowing a new generation of people to interact with other LGBTQ+ members and share topics and answers to situations we face IRL. It’s also as to why it allowed us to share common hobbies and interests that ended up becoming relatable and eventually, synonymous with modern trans culture. Through memes, allegories, cute drawings, cracked eggs, Blahaj, and fangirling about spinny skirts and e-girl outfits, these are just some small, yet wholesome traits that are noticeable about the new generation of trans and questioning people. It’s also thanks to these forums and amazing people behind them that allowed yours truly to accept her identity and commence transition into girlhood. To say these subreddits were a safe space for transgender people is an understatement. It was our way of showing the internet world that we exist.
But I won’t sugarcoat this post that much. Transgender people still face struggles such as violent and hateful threats online and IRL, misgendering from TERFs and bigots, homelessness due to cost of living and bigoted landlords and/or neighbors, lack of affordable and effective health care, and most important of them all, emotional support. With Reddit’s threat of overcharging for API use, many of these subreddits that served as a support center and safe space for LGBTQ+ and trans people are in danger of ceasing to exist. One of those subreddits have unfortunately bit the dust; that subreddit was called r/traaaaaaannnnnnnnnns, a subreddit full of relatable memes and posts that trans and non-binary people could relate. As someone who is on the cusp of the new generation, it was an amazing place to like and comment on posts that felt so relatable. While I never had the chance to upload anything there, like trans headcannons or a question using Menhera-chan’s art, I felt like a part of the community, even if it was just upvoting posts and comments. The community and vibe was influential enough for me to shape my trans identity and share a few of those traits through my posts. It was, for the first time, a safe space for a closeted trans girl with none of the degrading “feminization” that I encountered at other sites for a great portion of my life.
Why did that subreddit close? To paraphrase the dilemma, there was only one mod administering a growing forum close to 400k members! That mod used helpful third-party apps to mod the growing and very active page. In a time where trans people are targets of hate and erasure, it was inevitable that a subreddit like r/traaaaaaannnnnnnnnns was going to be inundated with spam and explicit, offensive content. As a result of the exhaustive work, the remaining moderator had no choice, but to close page and continue with a spiritual successor. r/traaaaaaannnnnnnnnns isn’t the only subreddit affected by this change. Several subreddits dedicated to non-proftis and news were affected as well and the active users and contributors to those subreddits were dependent on third-party apps that made the UI more useful. One can argue it’s better to adapt to changes rather than lose an entire page.
The main problem isn’t about creating everything from scratch again. The main problem is that Reddit refuses to acknowledge their mistake and decides to continue with their destructive decision. We’ve seen these bad business choices over and over again. From YouTube eliminating the Dislike button, to Twitter charging for Blue Checks, and, yes, even Tumblr with their ineffective NFSW filters, these sites are more willing to put up with irreplaceable damage than they are to admit they’re wrong.
The idea is not for Reddit to shake off this protest like it won’t happen again. It will happen again, and perhaps, indefinite, should they make their changes take effect by July 1. If 48 hours is all it takes to damage a site, then a longer period will be enough to effectively kill them. Although I am comfortable using Tumblr, I can’t deny that Reddit has a vibe different from this site that will soon be gone. As someone who loves social media, but hates the changes that negatively impact the user, I will give my two cents:
Reddit, your changes aren’t just hurting several groups and vibrant communities. You are also proving the world what could happen when lack of decision making, incompetence, and bad practices can potentially destroy a company. As much as the communities I love will be impacted by this move, I refuse to comply with the greed that will benefit only a select few while affecting the rest of the community that helped build your empire at no monetary cost. Should you forward your business choice, I will move to another alternative that appreciates the work that administrators, mods, and users contribute to the growth of a site. May your bad decision be welcome with unsurprising results.
Sincerely, anonymous Reddit user.*
*Note: my blog name is not the same as my Reddit name.
