Have you ever encountered the frustrating “We had a server error” message while trying to use Reddit? Like many users, I recently ran into this issue when attempting to add links to my Reddit profile. This seemingly simple task was repeatedly blocked by server error messages, leaving me wondering what was going on behind the scenes at one of the internet’s largest platforms.
Initially, I suspected a problem with my account. To test this, I created a brand new Reddit profile, free of any previous posts or settings. However, the issue persisted. Even on a fresh account, the “Server error. Try again later.” message continued to pop up, preventing me from adding links. The problem wasn’t isolated to profile links either. I even faced similar errors when trying to manage links within my own subreddit, r/saynotodemocide1. It felt like something was fundamentally broken.
This experience led me down a rabbit hole, exploring not just the immediate server error issue, but also a broader concern: the overall decline in the quality and functionality of major online platforms. My initial problem with Reddit’s server errors seemed to be a symptom of a larger trend affecting the entire internet landscape.
The Shadowban Suspicion and the Two Versions of Reddit
Adding to the confusion, I noticed something peculiar about my profile. While the current version of Reddit displayed the message “u/StopDemocideone hasn’t posted yet,” my content was still visible on the old version of Reddit. This discrepancy pointed towards a potential shadowban, a situation where a user’s content is hidden from public view without their explicit knowledge or notification.
While Reddit may not be specifically designed as a platform for in-depth political discourse, the experience raised questions about content visibility and platform transparency. As highlighted in the video “Echo Chambers and the bad memes that follow,” online platforms can sometimes stifle dissenting opinions. The video points out how users expressing contrary views can be quickly silenced through downvotes and comment restrictions, effectively creating echo chambers and limiting open discussion.
YouTube’s Broken Comments and Feature Focus
The issues aren’t limited to Reddit. YouTube, another internet giant, faces its own set of problems. While YouTube continuously rolls out new features like “Shorts,” “Channels new to you,” and personalized search suggestions, core functionalities like the comment system seem neglected. The inability to reliably engage in comment sections is a significant frustration for many users.
YouTube’s attempts to combat spam are understandable, but the current approach appears to be overly aggressive and ineffective. As the YouTube user theeccentrictripper3863 notes, the platform seems “borked,” with core functionalities suffering while resources are directed towards superficial UI updates rather than fundamental improvements. This sentiment echoes the idea that many large tech companies prioritize cosmetic changes over addressing underlying technical and user experience issues.
The broken comment system on YouTube directly impacts users’ ability to engage in discussions, particularly on important topics like politics. Feeling voiceless on these platforms becomes a significant drawback, hindering meaningful online interaction.
Blocking User Tools and Prioritizing Ads
Furthermore, YouTube’s efforts to block ad blockers and frontend alternatives like Invidious, Materialious, FreeTube, and NewPipe raise concerns about user agency and platform priorities. These actions, coupled with the increasing intrusiveness of online advertising, suggest a shift towards prioritizing ad revenue over user experience. The push to force users to watch ads, as satirized in the context of “Black Mirror,” highlights a potentially dystopian direction for online platforms.
The “Enshittification” of the Web
The problems with Reddit and YouTube are not isolated incidents; they reflect a broader trend of declining quality across the internet. This phenomenon has been termed “enshittification” by Cory Doctorow, who describes it as a three-stage cycle: platforms initially benefit users, then prioritize business customers by abusing users, and finally, exploit business customers to extract maximum value before ultimately declining.
This “enshittification” process is driven by the advertising-based monetization model that dominates the internet. Platforms prioritize user engagement and data collection to maximize ad revenue, often at the expense of content quality and user experience. Algorithms are designed to promote content that grabs attention, leading to the proliferation of clickbait, low-quality content, and rage-inducing material, as discussed by Kyle Hill in his analysis of YouTube’s “Science Scam Crisis.”
This focus on monetization and engagement metrics has led to a situation where platforms are optimized for ad revenue rather than for providing genuine value to users or fostering creativity. The incentive structure favors quantity over quality, contributing to the decline of meaningful content and the rise of “brainrot.”
The Gray Age of the Internet and the Need for Alternatives
Reflecting on the current state of the internet, it feels like we are entering a “gray age.” While alternative platforms and solutions exist, they remain underutilized. The internet of today is vastly different from the more user-centric and passion-driven web of the past. The early internet, with sites like Thomas & Friends, PBS KIDS, Coolmath Games, and early YouTube, fostered creativity and community, a stark contrast to the algorithm-driven, ad-saturated platforms of today.
The shift towards monetization has had a profound impact, incentivizing platforms to prioritize engagement and data collection over user satisfaction and content quality. This has led to a cycle of declining user experience and the rise of low-quality, algorithm-optimized content.
Reclaiming the Internet: Ad Blockers, Home Servers, and New Tech
To counter these trends, users can take steps to reclaim their internet experience. Ad blockers are essential tools for mitigating intrusive advertising. Creating home media servers and exploring alternative platforms offer ways to bypass the limitations and drawbacks of mainstream services. Supporting “New Tech” initiatives that prioritize user privacy and decentralization is crucial for fostering a healthier and more user-centric internet ecosystem.
In conclusion, encountering a “we had a server error” message might seem like a minor inconvenience, but it can be a symptom of a larger issue: the degradation of the internet experience. By understanding the forces driving this decline and actively seeking alternatives, users can contribute to a more positive and user-focused digital future.
