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RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

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Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#31
post #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?)

It was originally Reddit is Fun, but then Reddit asked a bunch of app developers to change the names of their apps to make it clearer that they aren’t official or affiliated with Reddit directly, which is why most apps are called “X for Reddit”. Reddit is Fun was already usually called RIF, so it became a recursive acronym. Then I assume they added “for Reddit” for search/discover ability reasons

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#32
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.

That, and Jobs had incredible design taste and ran a company that solved real, complex problems.

"spez" runs a website that hosts a bunch of content created, moderated, and shared by other people. It's a clone of Digg. The design actually is pretty terrible (old reddit was serviceable; new Reddit is a miserable dark-pattern-ridden ad-infested mess). Their first-party apps suck, and they couldn't even make it themselves; they had to buy one and enshitfy it.

From a talent/vision/charisma/taste/design/hiring/management perspective, the two men aren't really comparable.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#33
What reddit should've done. Created their own ad network, given 3rd party apps 50/50 split. Win/Win. Make that add network the only one allowed in mobile apps. At first it could just be an ad server over other ad networks, until the fill spots with their own ads.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> then not enforce any trademarks (assuming that was what the deal was for) I don't think that's true - "Reddit is Fun" rebranded to "rif is fun for reddit".

Doesn't that still use the trademark reddit?

It's generally accepted that using trademarks in this sort of descriptive fashion is non-infringing, so long as it's necessary to describe the purpose of the product and doesn't imply that the product is produced or endorsed by the trademark holder.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#36
post #10
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?

This is not his first controversy, he has a history with twisting facts and trying to manipulate people. Including that incident where he edited comments of people criticizing him on Reddit. I would guess there is a lot more of this behaviour that doesn't surface publicly.

Let's not forget him being the head moderator of r/jailbait and several of the other more "problematic" subreddits.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#37
The lying is so egregious, it’s like he thinks the truth is beneath him.

I’m not an investment genius, but I’m not buying any stock of a company led by a petulant child. I do not think any rational investor is going to be impressed with this CEO come IPO time.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#38
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-...

He’s gotta be one of the people who inspired Rushkofd to write Survival of the Richest.

And I think Elmo is his role model not Jobs

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The good thing is the era of cheap money has already ended, and market forces eliminate these investors over time as they lose money.

Re: RIF developer counters Reddit CEO’s claims

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The Sequoia FTX puff piece will never get old. It’s deleted now but thank God for the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20221109025610/https://www.sequo...
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