FWIW, I agree that poaching generic names like c/London, c/UnitedKingdom, or c/CasualUK is a dick move if you don’t plan to do anything with them. But I think our subreddit name is unique enough, that the only reason anyone would use it would be to associate themselves with the community that was already developed.

Also, we have like 70 mods - we decided a long time ago that anyone who organised a couple of meetups can be a mod if they want. So it’s not a closed shop. Knowing people IRL allows for that trust. So it’s as true a representation of our community as could be.

Hi all, I am guilty of this, and I think this post is about me mostly!

I do understand the points you’ve raised. The subreddit that I (along with a few IRL friends I met through r/London) started back in 2010 was focussed on meet-ups in London. It’s called LondonSocialClub.

It has a specific ideology - radically inclusive for anyone over 18. There’s a mod team that has developed trust and a community of people who know each other - (now scattered across Whatsapp groups that sprung from events posted on the subreddit.)

We’re not a normal mod team dealing with usual Reddit stuff. For example, we’ve had small groups deciding to ban people from events who have been accused of sexual harassment. And other IRL stuff needed our involvement.

The community isn’t big enough to split, I think it would break up if it tried.

I’m not a super active mod anymore, but I would be gutted if Reddit went to shit and someone else started a community using the name and brand, but running it counter to my values and what I think are the values of others in the community.

I’d be totally pro someone starting a separate London meetup community on here, just don’t want the name poached.

I remember ten years ago sharing beers with admins who visited London. Back when there was a push for developing local communities and Global Reddit Meetup Day. There was good vibes and a feeling of mutual respect.

I met my wife through Reddit.

I still have so much affection for the site in my heart.

It’s just wild to me how much has changed.

Really glad I never got that Snoo tattoo now.

Jesus, this is escalating fast. I never actually thought admins would go to such crazy lengths. Such pathetic desperation!

I loved Reddit, and I still love Reddit. I love so many little communities. And although I am persuaded that the fediverse is the future, I would go back in a heartbeat if it managed to regrow a soul. I happily paid for premium back in the day.