Reddit was is a peculiar position, flooded by the masses isn't really what I would call old reddit. Known by them yes (for answers), used by them no.

I think that development is fairly recent, maybe from 2019? And around that time, Reddit started to go to shit.

I agree with the government portion. I'm not really sure what the solution would be, which is why I want math folk working on it - but discussion is always helpful.