In a surprising turn of events, Reddit’s moderators have united to protest the company’s proposed changes to its API. The social media platform is planning to charge third-party apps for access to the site, a move that could potentially lead to the shutdown of some beloved third-party apps. As a response, several of Reddit’s most popular subreddits went dark for 48 hours earlier this week, with some still remaining inaccessible.
However, one subreddit took a unique approach to the protest. Subreddits r/pics, r/gifs, and r/aww have allowed posting to resume, but with a twist. Users are only allowed to post pictures, gifs, or adorable moments of the popular TV show host, John Oliver, from “Last Week Tonight.”
According to a report by The Verge, this decision was made after the moderators conducted a poll among the subreddit members. The options presented were to either return to business as usual or exclusively post content related to John Oliver. The overwhelming majority of r/pics users, with a staggering 37,331 votes, chose to “only allow images of John Oliver looking sexy.”
Interestingly, John Oliver himself has expressed support for this initiative. He took to Twitter to share a thread of candid pictures, further fueling the back catalog of “Oliveriana.” Fans of the show and the subreddit can now enjoy a flood of John Oliver content, showcasing his charismatic and attractive persona.
While the Reddit protests continue to make waves, it seems that John Oliver’s image has become an unexpected symbol of resistance. As the battle between Reddit’s mods and the company’s proposed changes rages on, the subreddit r/pics stands as a unique and amusing example of how users can creatively express their discontent.
Why has John Oliver’s image become a symbol of resistance in the ongoing protests by Reddit’s moderators
In a surprising turn of events, Reddit’s moderators have come together to protest the company’s proposed changes to its API. This move by the social media platform could potentially lead to the shutdown of some beloved third-party apps as they plan to charge for access. As a response, several of Reddit’s most popular subreddits went dark for 48 hours earlier this week, with some still remaining inaccessible.
But one subreddit took a different approach to the protest. Subreddits r/pics, r/gifs, and r/aww have allowed posting to resume, but with a twist. Users are now only allowed to post pictures, gifs, or adorable moments of the popular TV show host, John Oliver, from “Last Week Tonight.”
According to a report by The Verge, this decision was made after the moderators conducted a poll among the subreddit members. The options given were to either return to business as usual or exclusively post content related to John Oliver. The overwhelming majority of r/pics users, with a staggering 37,331 votes, chose to “only allow images of John Oliver looking sexy.”
Interestingly, John Oliver himself has expressed support for this initiative. He took to Twitter to share a thread of candid pictures, further fueling the back catalog of “Oliveriana.” Fans of the show and the subreddit can now enjoy a flood of John Oliver content, showcasing his charismatic and attractive persona.
While the ongoing Reddit protests continue to generate attention, it seems that John Oliver’s image has unexpectedly become a symbol of resistance. As the battle between Reddit’s moderators and the company’s proposed changes continues, the subreddit r/pics represents a unique and amusing example of how users can creatively express their discontent.
I wholeheartedly support John Oliver for standing with Reddit mods in their protest. It’s incredible to see someone in the public eye using their platform to address such an important issue. Reddit moderators play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the platform, often tirelessly volunteering their time to keep communities safe and engaging.
This protest not only sheds light on the unfair treatment and lack of support that moderators receive from Reddit, but also highlights the broader problem of how online platforms undervalue and underappreciate the work of their community members. It is high time that these platforms recognize the efforts of the people who make their platforms successful.
By showing solidarity, John Oliver not only amplifies the concerns of the Reddit mods but also brings attention to the larger issue of unpaid labor and the exploitative practices that exist in the online community sphere. Hopefully, his support will lead to constructive dialogue and meaningful change.
It’s crucial that we recognize and appreciate the work of Reddit moderators, as they are integral to fostering a positive online environment. I hope this protest sparks a much-needed conversation about fair treatment, adequate support, and recognition for all those who contribute their time and energy to maintain online communities.