Hi everyone ✌️

happy Bandcamp Friday - a great day to support artists like REN directly, starting today at 9:00 AM CET

And happy May Day / International Workers’ Day to everyone reflecting today. Here’s to fairness, solidarity, questioning greed, inequality and exploitation and remembering that we’re all part of this old Money Game.

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Now, regarding a recent suggestion from the subreddit

Under our last update, some of you mentioned that you’d like to see fewer reaction videos and there were also some good suggestions - like creating a megathread for them.

Over the past week, we’ve looked into different options. One idea was indeed the reaction video megathread suggested by u/ShutterBug1988

Unfortunately, after testing it, we ran into a major issue: Reddit comments in a megathread don’t allow proper video posting. The only option would be posting plain links, which would just show up as long written-out URLs without thumbnails, previews or anything visually useful.

So realistically, that would just turn into a huge wall of comments full of raw links. That wouldn’t just create a poor browsing experience - it would also take away a lot of the visibility and mutual support that currently exists between Ren, reactors, and the community. Reaction posts often help people discover new perspectives, support creators and keep that wider network visible, whereas a megathread full of plain links would likely bury that completely.

Because of that, we’ve decided not to go with the megathread idea for now.

What we do think is important, though, is keeping a better balance in the subreddit overall. If it feels like there are too many reaction videos at times, the best way to shift that is by posting and engaging with more variety - questions, discussions, fanart, memes, news and other content all help create a more balanced feed.

We’ll also be keeping a closer eye on duplicate posts. We’ll adjust our moderation settings so duplicate videos are flagged for us and we’ll review those on a case by case basis. If a repost doesn’t add anything new (like additional context, discussion points or relevant new information), we may remove it.

For anyone who simply doesn’t want to see certain posts, we'll also add a tiny picture guide in the pinned comment below on how to hide posts. As far as we can tell, once you hide a post, it should no longer appear - so if you see a reaction video you’re not interested in, that’s an easy way to filter it out for yourself.

Thanks for your feedback - we really appreciate everyone who takes the time to share ideas and help improve the subreddit!

— The MODteam

I criticize a lot about consumerism, politics, profit and how often money seems to matter more than people. But if we're being honest, we still live inside this system and make choices within it too.

I vote green. And I consciously bought myself a brand new car that cost way too much money. Not a used one, a reliable gasoline car because I wanted security, reliability, no electric car and - honestly - especially because I wanted that specific car. Ethically and for the environment not the best decision but it was mine.

At the same time, I try not to blindly play along in other areas:

Advertisements and social media doesn't influence what I buy because I don't let it and I rarely spend money on unnecessary things. Personally I don't buy merch etc. but I do pay patreon and support this subreddit. Support without a physical product.

I wear my clothes until they’re almost falling apart and I’ll often sew and repair them before replacing them. Anything I no longer want doesn’t just get thrown away. I put it outside with a “free / take it if you need it” sign. I don't throw away food and I don't support a lot of brands.

I also shop at a social secondhand store where the money supports people with mental health struggles and buy from small businesses.

But let's be honest - not beeing part of the money game as a consumer is a privilege in a way. One privilege is time. You need to have the time to get your hand on things that are not vailable everywhere.

Same with rent. I stay in my flat even tgough I'd love to have a balcony and a bathtub, the money goes to people I know, not some real estate company. Plus - another flat where I live would be twice the price. So 40 instead of 30 hours of working /lifetime to make money. Other people don't have that choice.

Anyway.. Sometimes I consciously play the game. Sometimes I consciously step back.

How do you play your part in this whole money game?

u/Impossible_Mud_5395

Megathreads vs. Reaction Videos

Now, regarding a recent suggestion from the subreddit

We're all part of this old money game