Some subreddits had karma requirements to let you post.
Also it was displayed prominently on your profile, triggering subconsious dick-size-comparison-like behaviour and related protective tendencies towards your karma stats.
Karma is just a means to exploit perceived peer pressure to reinforce desired behavior and change how people think. The desired behavior from the perspective of the platform isn’t limited to engagement. There are more subtle forms of monetization, such as propoganda and “peer”-to-peer advertising.
what did karma even do on reddit?
Karma could be a grind to make old-timers appear influential even when they just lurk
Some subreddits had karma requirements to let you post.
Also it was displayed prominently on your profile, triggering subconsious dick-size-comparison-like behaviour and related protective tendencies towards your karma stats.
Karma is just a means to exploit perceived peer pressure to reinforce desired behavior and change how people think. The desired behavior from the perspective of the platform isn’t limited to engagement. There are more subtle forms of monetization, such as propoganda and “peer”-to-peer advertising.