I have been on reddit for just about 12 years now. Something I’ve noticed over time is just how hateful the place has become. A complete outrage machine. Every single sub became filled with it. I’ve filtered so many subreddits over the last few years, it’s insane. I don’t know enough about this place to be sure, but I do hope it doesn’t become the same type of echo chamber of anger.
It was very polarised. I found it hard to get along with the left subs, impossible with the right subs. People are increasingly less interested in making compromises and more so in having their way or the highway. Though I doubt this is a Reddit issue alone. The world stage has been moving, fast. No doubt sped up by the numerous global crises we just had or are currently having.
While some may say that it is just an impression, it certainly is true. The cuprit is non other than the algorithm. People tend to write comments about why they disagree, and like where they agree. Liking takes less time, so you’re not as engaged as when you’re commenting. Being engaged gives them more money, so the algorithm does as it’s been told and just engages everyone so they are on the site longer to make more money. This enrages people, because everyone else is dumb and wrong and they have to tell them their opinion, which makes the algorithm happy, which leads to more disagreements. It’s a money making spiral.