Live data from Hacker News

RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

theverge.com

21–30 of 69 posts

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#21
post #7

> Shu also tells me that RIF was paying a “sizable revenue share” to Reddit beginning in 2012, which was during Yishan Wong’s tenure as CEO. Shu says he says initiated the talks with Reddit to create the agreement, which allowed for the licensed use of Reddit’s trademarks. (At the time, the app was called “reddit is fun.”) Shu says Reddit terminated the agreement in 2016 — which was the year after Huffman took over a…

That last point is, IMHO, the real problem. It's pretty reasonable to want to charge for the API, but saying "we just want a fair price" and setting a price that's clearly meant just to kill them off is dishonest. Just say you're turning off API access.

And then there's the lying about Christian (the Apollo guy), where Huffman/spez just straight-up lied. We know that because Christian posted a call recording.

Now he's lying about the RIF situation.

He goes in and edits _other users' comments_ when he feels like it seemingly for no reason.

The takeaway for me at least is that the guy is just a liar, and investing a lot of time and energy (either as a contributor, developer, or mod) into a company run by a flagrantly dishonest bad actor is a bad idea.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#22
post #4

Barring all of the arguments for or against why reddit is doing what it is doing, why does spez keep lying? Like he must realize that emails don't disappear and phone calls can be recorded?

Don't forget that Steve Huffman legitimately expects all of society to collapse and makes plans to survive it, including getting as much money and as many resources as possible. (The part where he helps to bring it about doesn't seem to register).

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-...

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#23
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think he's attempting Jobs' reality distortion field, but he missed the part where you're not supposed to be raving buffoon and tell lies that everyone recognizes as lies.

The reality distortion field worked for Jobs because he was weirdly charismatic while being a colossal asshole. spez just isn't charismatic.

spez/reddit also totally screwed up the PR by not getting the first word out about the changes. They privately dumped the news on developers who were the ones who had to break to their users that these changes were coming and will make the apps unable to continue operating.

And it was honestly the only thing they could do. Selig has already been over how much of a mess this is causing for people who paid in advance for the app's subscription, and he no longer can offer that service to them. He couldn't just sit quiet and wait for reddit to do the announcement themselves, he's got subscribers on the line. What a colossal fuck-up from reddit. And spez continues to close his eyes and blocked his ears to the idea he might have made a mistake in any of this.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#24
post #7

> Shu also tells me that RIF was paying a “sizable revenue share” to Reddit beginning in 2012, which was during Yishan Wong’s tenure as CEO. Shu says he says initiated the talks with Reddit to create the agreement, which allowed for the licensed use of Reddit’s trademarks. (At the time, the app was called “reddit is fun.”) Shu says Reddit terminated the agreement in 2016 — which was the year after Huffman took over a…

Yeah that part is really wild - there were making money already off a 3rd party app, then decided to NOT take their money in 2016, then not enforce any trademarks (assuming that was what the deal was for) for what, 7 years?! How is that not gross incompetence? Minority shareholder lawsuit territory? It's really clear that spez wants terminate any 3rd party clients whatsoever, I assume at this point any talk of app de…

> Who would invest in a Reddit IPO now?!

The same kinds of investors who did no diligence on FTX. I am certain there is dumb money out there.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#26
post #22
post #4

Barring all of the arguments for or against why reddit is doing what it is doing, why does spez keep lying? Like he must realize that emails don't disappear and phone calls can be recorded?

Don't forget that Steve Huffman legitimately expects all of society to collapse and makes plans to survive it, including getting as much money and as many resources as possible. (The part where he helps to bring it about doesn't seem to register). https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-...

https://archive.is/2022.07.03-182824/https://www.newyorker.c...

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#28
post #22
post #4

Barring all of the arguments for or against why reddit is doing what it is doing, why does spez keep lying? Like he must realize that emails don't disappear and phone calls can be recorded?

Don't forget that Steve Huffman legitimately expects all of society to collapse and makes plans to survive it, including getting as much money and as many resources as possible. (The part where he helps to bring it about doesn't seem to register). https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-...

Lol.

When shit hits the fan it's the PT gods that can grab their shit and hump it in the boonies who are going to survive, not some pencil neck weekend warriors with guns and ammo and a motorcycle.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#29
post #22
post #4

Barring all of the arguments for or against why reddit is doing what it is doing, why does spez keep lying? Like he must realize that emails don't disappear and phone calls can be recorded?

Don't forget that Steve Huffman legitimately expects all of society to collapse and makes plans to survive it, including getting as much money and as many resources as possible. (The part where he helps to bring it about doesn't seem to register). https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/01/30/doomsday-prep-...

[deleted]

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#30
I am very confused about the name of this particular app. I haven't used it. I always thought it was "Reddit is Fun" (RIF). Then this week I learned it's actually "RIF is Fun" (RIF). Now in this article it's "RIF is Fun for Reddit" (RIFIFFR?)
Post reply on HN