I lurked the CTH reddit until it got nuked, but never posted. I joined this place because i missed the podcast discussion , and figured that some of the good vibes might still be found there … but this place has always been a weird, kinda alienating and uncommunal place IMHO .it IS an interesting place ,but without the titualar poscast as keystone (and the failure of left electoralism globally) i kinda wondered what would keep it it glued together. it was thoughtprovoking that the site removed downvotes. I’ve always believed that the interface influences the behavior and having a big yes/nope button makes people quantified consumers of other people. if you come from a marginalised place or are hanging on by your fingernails , the reminder that your contribution can be easily ignored or discounted probbably stings a bit more than if you have a bit more comfort or other social frames holding you. i guess that’s why i keep checking in to see how the site is changing/mutating . I do think that OP is right, that by postively advocating for what ever this site thinks it stands for it becomes more of a shared experience, rather then a constant free market of upbears and popularity contests