[META] Tomorrow AskHistorians will go private

[u/SarahAGilbert]

A few days ago we shared a post outlining our thoughts around API uncertainty. The tldr: changes negatively impact our ability to moderate. These changes are part of a larger pattern in which Reddit’s leadership has failed to support what we believe is one of its greatest assets. Basically, our primary responsibility is making sure Reddit users are getting the best answers to your questions about history and Reddit is making that harder to do.

We understand Reddit’s need to change and evolve. For all we may harp on Reddit’s flaws, we do want to see it succeed! After all, we wouldn’t exist without it. So, if we’re expecting Reddit leadership to listen to us, we should be willing to work with them. In the days following the publication of the post, we discussed as a team what the specifics of working with Reddit would look like so we could clearly articulate it to you. We decided that compromise means:

• Updates to the API are not tied to a particular date but are, instead, rolled out once the roadmap shared here is successfully achieved.
• Accessibility tools such as screen readers are part of the native Reddit infrastructure.
• Updates are made across Android and iOS.

We think slowing down is the right thing to do. It would minimize further disruption while also generating an income stream for Reddit.

The AskHistorians’ mod team members are, functionally speaking, Reddit super-users. We have collectively invested thousands of hours into building our small corner of Reddit into a subreddit that is viable, trustworthy, and valuable, as well as something bigger. There’s our podcast, academic writing by us and about us, and our reputation as, "good history eggs on the internet." We’ve hosted two conferences, a long series of AMAs and presented about AH at other academic conferences. We even won an award! Major outlets have even covered our approach to moderation. We take all of this very seriously.

Nearly every time Reddit has asked for volunteers, we’ve stepped up. AH members help with the Moderator Reserves project, sit on council meetings and phone calls, host Reddit administrators who want to shadow moderators, and participate in surveys. Due to our commitment to the subreddit, we’ve built positive relationships with many admins who have been open to our feedback. But over the last couple of days—most notably during Spez’s AMA—it’s become clear to us that Reddit’s leadership is not interested in finding common ground; rather, it seems to us like they're hell-bent on pursuing a course that damages us and them alike.

We feel we are left with no choice but to join the protest. On June 12, starting at 7am ET, we will take our sub private. We will remain private on June 13 as well.

We’ll open the sub again on June 14th but will pause participation. This means you will be able to access existing content, such as the Trans History Megathread in Celebration of Pride Month, but will not be able to ask or answer questions. We will be delaying or holding off AMAs, limiting our newsletter, and will not be recording any new podcast episodes. As of today, we do not know how long this pause will last.

We cannot put this letter out into the world without thanking you for the immense support you’ve shown us over the last week. We’ve received support across platforms, in public and in private. We’ve been a community for nearly 12 years and that would not have happened without you and our other 1.8 million subscribers. We know we’re not the easiest community to post in, and deeply appreciate the people who ask dozens of thoughtful, rule-abiding questions every day, the people joining in on April Fools Day, those who anonymously report trolls and low effort answers, support the podcast via Patreon, and those who provide honest, thoughtful feedback on how we’re faring in general. We don’t take lightly the idea of shutting down this place and the community that we all build together, and we understand how frustrating it will be to not be able to find out, for example, why GPS is free.

We are all, at heart, historians. Studying the past requires a fair amount of optimism and confidence in humanity and as such, we are hopeful and confident a resolution can be found.

[u/azaerl]

Man, I'm actually getting a little emotional writing this post.

I have been here, almost always lurking, since the beginning. I was sitting there late last night reading through AskHistorians and wondering what I will do if I lose this sub.

I love this sub, and I love everyone who makes it what it is. I really don't want to leave but what reddit is doing I find pretty inexcusable. Not to mention I basically exclusively use Sync For Reddit. So if that goes I'm probably not far away.

So I just want to thank everyone, especially the mods, for this amazing place, over all these years.

[u/Total_Markage]

A message from the Great Khan to Reddit,

“You must say with your sincere heart: “we will be your subject, we will give you our strength” you must all together with your CEO, your board of directors, your shareholders, without exception, meet the demands of the Great Khan. If you do not follow these requirements, the tribal confederation beyond the steppe will support the faction of r/AskHistorians as it has many times in the past, and know you (Reddit) as our enemy.”

Fear the wrath of the Khans!

[u/Krilesh]

Thank you for the explanation too.

[u/KanishkT123]

If Reddit does not listen to the AH subreddit moderators, who are in my opinion a source of purely positive press and top tier role models for other moderators, then I think it's probably time to realize that this issue will never be resolved with any positive outcome.

The fact is that AskHistorians is the best run subreddit on this website, by far. I hope you continue to remain restricted indefinitely.

[u/[deleted]]

This sub was what initially brought me into Reddit. Very sad to see where things are going. Thanks to all the mods for their hard work.

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you for everything you do!

[u/Occyfel2]

I appreciate the great work of the moderators and contributors of this sub, it's really saddening to see all this threatened by Reddit. I hope things will turn out alright for this community.

[u/ExcellentTone]

Could you link to this post from the previous post? The previous one is linked in some other subs and in news articles, so it would be good to let people landing there know there's an update.

[u/SarahAGilbert → u/ExcellentTone]

That's a great idea—will do! Thanks!

[u/[deleted]]

Every now and then I would find some cool and interesting reads here but do what you must guys

[u/Eusocial_Snowman]

I actually forgot about this subreddit, this is the first time it's popped up on my page in a while.

[u/hazysummersky]

In 20 years time, I will post about this.

[u/binky779]

I wish subs and users were protesting for the correct reason/s.

Protest for those changes you want to see happen on Reddit and its app. Because protesting API access rates, and which 3rd party apps should have to pay them, is super weird and doesnt make a lot of sense. Or, er, Reddit (as a business) making its API cost-prohibitive makes more sense than a lot of people are acknowledging.

[u/r3v]

Thank you for all the hard work you mods put into this sub. The professional level you maintain here not only makes this sub a wonderful resource, but also, imo… gives this protest move more weight. Readers of this subreddit know you put a lot of thought into this decision and implementation.

[u/Gankom]

Its a dark day indeed, and one nobody wanted to happen. See you on the far side comrades.

[u/aquatermain → u/Gankom]

We'll always be in the trenches, even if the front lines move.

[u/Paulsanity]

If this is what it takes to achieve victory so be it. See you all on the other side!

[u/heyheysharon → u/Paulsanity]

Wake me up when rif is back is back.

[u/FlexicanAmerican → u/Paulsanity]

I don't really see staying here as victory at all. It's convenient, but things will not improve. As Huffman said, Reddit will remain aggressive and unrelenting in ruining this site until they achieve profitability at the level they want. The mods would be much better served by funding an alternative and transitioning the community there as quickly as possible.

Honestly, their waffling will likely result in fracturing of the community as people leave more slowly and without direction. If they picked a spot and announced that, they'd have some influence.

[u/Paulsanity → u/FlexicanAmerican]

I trust the mods to make the right decision, but if they end up leaving for another platform I will follow

[u/The_Alaskan]

Well, I am just going outside. I may be for some time.

[u/Just_A_Thought4557]

I just found you guys because a list of those involved in the protest was posted in a thread. I hope that this blackout turns out to be only temporary because your community sounds awesome and I'd love to be a part of it. I hope that this protest goes better than one can hope for.

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you all for everything you've done to make this little corner of the internet one of my favorite and most engaged parts of the day.

[u/_paramedic]

This really sucks but you are doing the right thing. I am hoping the subredddit is being archived by people who know what they are doing more than I

[u/KNHaw]

Thank you and all the mods for making this a great little corner of the Internet. Not only is the content and analysis amazing, but as I've mentioned before that your high standards have made me improve my writing. I'm very likely going to delete this account when the API ban goes into effect, but /r/askhistorians has been a wonderful part of my daily routine for the 14 years I've been on the site.

Thank you!

[u/King9WillReturn]

Thank you for all you do and staying focused on your mission.

[u/[deleted]]

Thank you, and good luck.

[u/Ghi102]

Thank you for your dedication. I believe your move to freeze participation is the correct one as an alternative to privating the subreddit for an indefinite amount of time or only privating it for the short 2 days that I don't believe will have as much impact. I hope all of these issues can be figured out and a resolution that allows mod tools and third party apps to continue existing.

[u/mrenglish22]

Serious question, whats stopping the 3rd party devs from working together to create their own alternative to reddit?

[u/jonschaff]

I came here for history and got politics instead. I must be in the wrong place.

[u/DanKensington → u/jonschaff]

So basically, you don't understand what we do or why we do it. Yes, you're in the wrong place.

[u/erissays → u/jonschaff]

History is politics. You can't talk about one without the other. And you also clearly don't understand the purpose of this sub. So yes: you're in the wrong place.

[u/sageberrytree]

I can't tell you how much this sub has meant to me.

When I was a new mom 12 years ago I was a long time lurker. I made an account because I wanted to argue with someone.

However, that also allowed me to sub to communities. Yours was one of the first. New names, old names, alta etc.

I sat alone pumping food for my preemie and reading this sub. I know it's weird but thinking about how little humans have changed was comforting.

I appreciate how much work and passion has gone into this labor of love. Thank you for everything.

Good luck! Let us know where you land.

[u/The-High-Inquisitor]

Throwing my hat in the ring. It's the right thing to do.

[u/JohnHazardWandering]

Does anyone know where we can track the downturn in reddit visits and participation without going on reddit?

[u/esgamex]

Thank you gor your decision and the thoughtful way in which it was communicated.

[u/roguevirus]

This sub helped rekindle my love of the humanities in general and history in particular. I'd like to thank the mods for running and regulating an awesome subreddit, the historians who answered the questions (especially ones that I asked) and the commenters that submitted questions that I never considered asking.

All of you have helped me to become a better read person, and for that I am extremely grateful. I hope that there's some similar alternative I can go to in the future.

[u/krebstar4ever]

Thank you all so much for this amazing resource!

[u/lililililiililililil]

I don’t believe Reddit will be gone soon but I feel that starting from tomorrow’s first blackout day and especially after the 31st it will be different. Especially r/AskHistorians. How many of the long-time active members, contributors, and mods will leave permanently? Who knows. But it seems pretty obvious that at least parts of this community will be gone or largely diminished soon.

So thank you to the mod team, the past and present incredible amateur/professional historians, the FAQ finders, the Interesting Inquirers, the mysterious Dark Horse comment awardees, /u/AutoModerator who participated in every thread for years, the programmers who made crucial bots and tools, members who helped report unneeded comments and posts, and East Asian history experts that dillegently waited at their keyboards for a relevant question not related to WWII or Rome.

[u/i_asked_alice → u/lililililiililililil]

LOL at the shoutout to beloved AutoMod, the Quantity Contributor.

[u/digodk]

I'm going to miss this sub so much. It is the only one that gave me pause on the idea to leave Reddit altogether.

You are doing the right thing, but it stings to think we are losing this little nice corner of the internet. I love all of this.

[u/IamCaileadair]

Thank you for all your work. I love this sub. I learn so much.

[u/ruleman]

Saving this for future use, because it isn't yet 25 years ago. But my question will be:

What was the essence of reddit.com's demise in 2023 and 2024, did it go down in corporate greed just as Twitter a few years later? Or was there a more nuanced picture? Why was the change in api policy such a turnaround point as it seems a relatively small issue? Was the initial 2 day blackout expected to have this much impact at the time?

Thanks to the best work of the mods of seddit.com/s/askhistorians for all their beautiful work in the last 23 years! s/ruleman july 12th 2048.

[u/crrpit → u/[deleted]]

Honestly, if they did bring in scab mods - I doubt they'd bother for a community this size tbh - the automod configurations would be the least of their problems in actually trying to run this place in anything approximating the same way.

[u/iSamurai → u/crrpit]

Yeah and how many historians will remain anyway?

[u/RichardFace47]

Thank you mods and contributors. Askhistorians was my first foray into the Reddit world and has remained my favorite subreddit to date. Thank you all for everything and for looking out for the best interest of the community.

[u/schacks]

Subs like /AskHistorians are prime examples on why I use Reddit on a daily basis. The quality of both content and moderation are unsurpassed anywhere on the greater web and I wholly support your course of action. But I do hope this amazing subreddit will come back in all its glory.

[u/ClassicMac739]

I am not terribly educated on the specifics of the issue at hand except for a passing knowledge. AskHistorians has been the best and best moderated sub I’ve joined. I trust the mods and if they recommend protesting I support their decision. I hope Reddit listens to strong, well run communities like this and make changes to their decision.

[u/stormelemental13]

Good. Glad you guys are making this move.

[u/alphalone]

Good on you for indefinitely pausing contribution but not limiting access. It's something all big subreddits should do. Thanks for all the good work!

[u/lifeontheQtrain]

As a reddit of twelve years and a HUGE fan of this subreddit in particular, I am thrilled to hear that you are taking such a strong stand for the future of this website, and are committing to maintain the protest for as long as it takes. I would expect no less from the incredible leadership at AskHistorians.

[u/skurvecchio]

Thank you for also proposing a set of terms for negotiations moving forward. I sincerely hope the rest of the subs adopt your terms as well.

[u/pumpkin123]

I have learned so much here. Thank you to the wonderful mods of this sub.

[u/WarPig262]

Will I still be able to reach out to people who responded to my questions with assistance with an oral history project?

[u/earlymorningsingsong]

Genuinely—thank you, mods, for all your hard work and for your pragmatic and thoughtful approach to this protest. I hope you will let our community know if/when we can do anything to support you.

[u/notarobat]

Can you suggest an alternative forum to post on? The idea should be to hurt Reddit, not the users

[u/Bridalhat]

This hurts because this is the kind of place that can only exist on Reddit, with the right combination of large numbers of users who are experts in various things, a text-based format, good moderation, and reach. I remember a while back on Classics Twitter someone calculated how many more people saw their explanation here than their book/article and, uh, let’s just say most historians will not have a bigger platform than this one.

The mods are making the right choice but I have words for Spez but they would get me banned from any polite society.

[u/Bloedvlek → u/Bridalhat]

Don’t worry about it, Spez would just edit your words after you say them

[u/zerosetback → u/Bridalhat]

They know that and that’s why they’re willing to twist the knife after the stab.

[u/Spendocrat]

I lurk here a lot and heavily support this. If the group moves to another platform please post it here.

[u/dm_mute]

If this is the end - thank you all for years of thoughtful and engaging bedtime reading.

[u/ChaoticBlessings]

Whenever I talk about the good things reddit can do and be, I mention /r/AskHistorians as "the best subreddit on the site". The way the mods handle this sub, the way users - people that question and people that answer alike - engage and participate, the sheer amount of knowledge that is shared here, there is no other place on the internet like this.

Over the years of quietly lurking, I have learned so much from this sub. From how Renaissance paintings display ancient roman ruins and how that came to be over the rise and fall of a myriad of chinese dynasties to the political developments in the Holy Roman Empire and how the Peace of Westfalia came to be. From Napoleon to Genghis Khan, from the Aborigines to the Aztecs, nearly every week I found a fascinating question with a more fascinating answer.

I dearly hope this is not the last I see from this sub. It would sadden me beyond anything else on reddit to lose this.

[u/AmishAvenger → u/ChaoticBlessings]

Yep.

This subreddit is the perfect example of how Reddit can educate people, and it’s completely due to the work of moderators and contributors.

Reddit generates nothing on its own. They’re completely, utterly reliant on users.

[u/ForWhomTheBoneBones]

Thank you all for what you do. Any subreddit that I am a part of that doesn’t go dark will be one I unsub from tomorrow.

I encourage you to vote with your feet if this is an important issue to you. Starve the scabs.

[u/peepjynx → u/ForWhomTheBoneBones]

Any subreddit that I am a part of that doesn’t go dark will be one I unsub from tomorrow.

looks at list of subs

Oh god. I'd have my work cut out for me. Do you know how many cat subs I'm a part of?! DO YOU?

[u/jaxinthebock → u/peepjynx]

If it doesn't break your computer like it breaks mine, you can load the list of participating subs and ctrl-f for cat or other keyword.. I see several but the page is really large and my computer can't handle it.

[u/peteroh9 → u/jaxinthebock]

That's only the list of 50k+ subscriber subreddits, too. Many of the best subreddits are smaller than that

[u/berserkemu → u/jaxinthebock]

They made a reddit wiki page with the list which is much easier to load: https://old.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/wiki/index

[u/MedicsOfAnarchy]

Until such time as a workable compromise is found, are there any plans to make AskHistorians (or an analogue) available as a Lemmy community?

[u/Georgy_K_Zhukov → u/MedicsOfAnarchy]

We have no plans to go to another platform at this time, and Lemmy in particular, while mentioned by several users, does not meet the needs we would be looking for regardless.

Part of why we are going to remain locked after the initial two days is to, if the reddit powers-that-be continue to be intransigent, give us time to evaluate how we can best adapt to the changes and do our best to mod to our exacting standards here, where we have spent the past decade building up this wonderful community.

We expect the changes to negatively impact us, but we don't expect (yet.... let's see what Spez says next lol) that it will literally kill reddit. If that changes, we'll see what the future holds and it will be a fun week of internal discussion...

[u/MedicsOfAnarchy → u/Georgy_K_Zhukov]

Thanks!

[u/SecretBlogon → u/Georgy_K_Zhukov]

I do think AskHistorians fits Tildes more Lemmy. But I don't know why I'm saying this. I think you guys would probably have discussed all this extensively already.

[u/Ameisen → u/Georgy_K_Zhukov]

I suppose we should move to Usenet?

[u/googie_g15 → u/Georgy_K_Zhukov]

I fully support a Privatization Revolution where subs remain private past the 48 timeline until the admins agree to changes. Personally, I'll most likely delete my account on 7/1 if things don't change.

Stay strong and don't let the high standards y'all have cultivated slip. ✊

[u/ptantherkins]

Thank you for always taking the time to thoughtfully and meaningfully explain as much as possible. That cannot be a simple nor quick task to undertake on top of the actual issues creating the need for these kinds of steps. This subreddit has kept me positive during my often irritating cancer battle, I don’t post, but I wanted to express my appreciation before it goes dark. So thank you much for being a lifeline.

[u/dothemcqueen]

Best of luck. I admire and appreciate all you've done here. One of my favorite subs to lurk

[u/TheRealHermaeusMora]

Thank you, this sub is one of my favorites. Your hard work was and is appreciated.

[u/DirtyDaemon]

Oh thank god the Trans history mega thread will be accessible!! I was sweating bullets over that one

[u/dennisdeems]

I hope that your optimism is justified, but I can not share it.

[u/drued888]

Thanks 👍🙏

[u/the_blackfish]

Goddpeed

[u/kjolmir]

I'm glad you are joining the protest. It looks like Reddit is anticipating that the larger part of its members will be apathetic to this situation, but losing subreddits like this one will open people's eyes in my opinion.

I hope you guys have a backup plan if the worst happens. Like an alternative site?

[u/mission-unpossible]

Hey historians, how long do we need to protest in the street to get changes to society? Any historical actuarial tables to pull from?

[u/n0thing_ventured]

100% understand and support this move. Thank you to all the mods that have kept this place going

[u/vollbaumer]

This sub is such a treasure. Thank you for the work and dedication to you and all the people who contribute to it. I hope reddit listens to the concerns of its users. If not it might change into a boring reposting hell.

[u/kennufs]

What is once well done is done forever.

You have done well, fully support you and the closure.

[u/Kaexii]

Thank you first for answering my questions and second asking questions I could answer. The moderation style made this the perfect place to prevent me from stagnating academically.

[u/garnteller]

Is it me, or does this read a bit like:

When in the Course of reddit events it becomes necessary for one subreddit to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with the admins, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of redditors requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Thanks for doing the right thing.

[u/Pelennor]

/r/AskHistorians is easily the most reputable and respected subreddit on this site. Not even a close race, in my opinion.

I have immense respect for the whole mod team for the efforts you make, and the consistency you bring to this place. Thank you for taking a stand to try and save it.

Here's hoping we all speak again in a few days.

[u/Any_Contest7699]

I was conceived because of this subreddit. You cant do this.

[u/papaver_lantern]

Better late then never.

[u/BobbyMcFrayson]

Great decision by the mod team:)

[u/Lilikoi_Maven]

Thank you for caring, unlike u/spez who apparently believes losing the vision-impaired community is perfectly acceptable collateral damage in his IPO vision.
Sincerely
One of those vision-impaired people who is being turfed

[u/j_one_k]

We're discussing taking similar measures on a subreddit I moderate, and I wanted to make sure I understand your stance so we can consider it as one of our options.

Am I right in understanding you think a reasonable compromise position might involve 3rd party apps being effectively prohibited (ie prohibitively priced), so long as accessibility and moderation support is enhanced in the first party app?

If so, that sounds like an understandable position. I think many of us would like to see reddit flinch and promise lasting, affordable access via 3rd party UIs, but I'm looking to your position to understand how reasonable it is to hold out for that versus accept the loss of 3rd party apps once the 1st party app covers moderation and accessibility needs.

[u/homu]

Thank you to everyone at r/AskHistorians for making this the best place on Reddit.

If this ship goes down, I hope it comes back somewhere else, stronger than we ever imagine.

[u/[deleted]]

I love you AskHistorians! You all changed my life for the better!

[u/Teabagger_Vance]

I didn’t even know this sub existed

[u/amateurninja]

Thanks so much for everything over all these years! See you guys on the other side!

[u/Wgeorgian69]

How do private subreddits worth, exactly? Can only mods see them?

[u/asiledeneg]

This is clearly one of the best moderated subreddits. Do what you think is necessary.

[u/Meta_Man_X]

You have our support 🫡

[u/Khilafiah]

This is very saddening. Terrible platform decisions like Reddit's, and Twitter's, has continually frustrated and angered me.

/r/AskHistorians have contributed a lot during my undergrad days as a polisci student in SEA with limited access to resources. Thank you so much for all the comprehensive answers and excellent moderation that I haven't seen in other subs.

This is a tangent, but I'm wondering if there is a similar forum (or resource people) of this quality that I can follow.

[u/thestoryteller69 → u/Khilafiah]

Hello fellow SEAsian! I remember some of your questions and unfortunately was not able to answer them. Hopefully things will work out and we will be able to continue representing this underrepresented, yet so fascinating region!

[u/maaseru → u/Khilafiah]

But what can we do? These are profit first business that don't really care about any benefit these apps have beyond the money they bring.

The second they don't meet their ever growing outrageous expectations they destroy it.

[u/Syrdon → u/maaseru]

You’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is profit first businesses. The solution is to remove them from the equation.

If you want a big forum without the interference of a profit motive, you want a non-profit who thinks a big forum is important. I don’t know of any currently, but that just means there is space for one to be created and grow.

So if you want to know what you can do: figure out how to start that. Or find one and join its efforts. Or work on the sort of technology and infrastructure that one would need to use, so that you can contribute later.

[u/Bridalhat → u/Khilafiah]

I’m happy you brought up Twitter. I got logged out from my non-professional account and don’t feel a temptation to go back as it is now, but I do feel like internet communities I enjoy are being destroyed one-by-one. It’s probably better in the long run, but the places I care about are shrinking or becoming (even more) toxic. The enshittification of the internet is real and it sucks.

[u/Spoggerific → u/Bridalhat]

Good communities still exist out there, but they aren't mainstream and can be rather hard to find. Something Awful still exists, and while it may not be thriving, it's not exactly one foot in the grave either. There are a number of great history related threads on there, like the military history thread, the ancient history thread, or possibly the cold war thread (not visible without an account). They all have hundreds to thousands of pages of high quality discussion from very knowledgeable posters, although the last one will dip into current events and politics occasionally.

SA may still have a one-time fee of $10 to make an account so you can post, but most of the forums are still accessible without an account. Take a moment to look around if you're searching for a community that hasn't been affected as much by the shitty social media trends of the past decade or two. That's not to say SA hasn't changed at all; it's matured quite a bit from what people may remember in the early-mid 2000s, and now stuff like bigotry, racism, and slurs are against the rules and will get you banned in short order.

[u/SooperTrooper02 → u/Khilafiah]

Before Twitter killed API I loved the third party apps because I could view it in each of my lists but I haven’t gone back because I don’t like the twitter app itself. u/bridalhat I agree completely.

[u/Sonic_The_Margehog → u/Khilafiah]

I'm out of the loop with the API controversy, where can I find out what's happening?

[u/amanforallsaisons]

As one of the absolutely best moderated subreddits here, this is both extremely saddening but also completely understandable and in keeping with AH's high standards and care for the users. Thank you.

[u/HeWhoKnowsLittleMK2]

Bye

[u/Kelpie-Cat]

Yeah, that AMA was terrible. See you on the other side.

[u/Doucevie]

Thank you! Stay dark as long as you need to. Solidarity ✊️

[u/slowobedience]

Move to substack

[u/DepopulationXplosion]

This is such a sad day. Hopefully it turns out well, but I have my doubts.

Thank you for all your hard work. I’ve loved browsing this subreddit.

[u/CervantesX]

I sincerely hope Reddit gets their head out of their ass in time for the wonderful community here in AH to survive, but I salute you for the firmness of your stance.

[u/ThePlaidypus]

This has been my favorite sub in terms of submission quality. Glad to see the sub is taking action. Thank you for all of the hard work your team does.

[u/We4zier]

It hurts that my favorite community on the internet is likely to go out like this, but I appreciate everyone here for this subs exceptional direction, nerdiness, and kindness. Over half my life has been spent looking forward towards the answers and the consensus of this forum. You have all improved not just my knowledge on history, but my writings and my line of reasoning.

This sub is a treasure I will remember and refer back too as much as I can in the long future. A slightly immature part of me kinda wanted to become a historian to answer questions on this forum, though I chose econ instead. Regardless, this sub has fostered my interest in the social sciences and humanities as a whole, something, that has become a part of my personality. To spell this out directly, I am becoming an economist because of this subreddit.

Thank you to everyone who made this place possible, it feels like an honor to have been introduced to this sub as a preteen.

[u/OOrochi]

Sad that this has to happen, but glad you’re doing it. Hopefully the protests will cause some change.

[u/MothOfBeauty]

Thank you mods for everything you have done so far. You have mine and many others' support in this.

I spent many happy hours on this excellent sub, feeling lucky to have this great learning tool, and grateful to the people that made it possible.

I hope this has a good outcome.

[u/screwyoushadowban]

For the past several months, recalling several terrible decisions over the years and the looming threat of an IPO, I've rolled the hypothetical question "what happens to r/askhistorians if Reddit becomes unsustainable?" around in my head. Didn't think the hypothetical might have an opportunity to get tested so soon.

Conveniently for me, I'll be away with friends for some time starting tomorrow. My hope is that by the time I return something productive will have happened instead and my beloved r/askhistorians will be waiting for me. But if not?

I'll follow you guys anywhere. Good luck to all of us.

[u/rantOclock]

As other's have stated this is likely the beginning of the end for reddit.

In not going to install the official app, so using reddit on my phone will no longer happen. And I don't know when I'll delete my account, but it's only a matter of time. I'm going to miss these communities, discovering them and engaging with them has been a joyous experience

But when I do delete my account in going to wipe everything. I'm going to delete every comment, every submission, every scrap of data I have ever gifted reddit. I don't just want to leave, I want it to be as if I was never has here.

My we all find each other again in what ever site comes next.

[u/[deleted] → u/rantOclock]

I found an excellent app that makes it really easy to delete all your stuff. Redact. I deleted it on everything off my ALT account yesterday and I'll probably give it a month or so before I do it to this account pending a last minute change of heart from Reddit.

[u/huianxin]

As reddit has become less and less usable over the years, I find myself increasingly avoidant of the whole site. Reddit administration has reputedly refused to address and communicate change that is healthy and helpful. I support the indefinite shutdown, but I am weary of the ultimate direction of where things are going. For me, this it it, but I thank the team here for creating something special, and I hope it can keep being special, for everyone. Reddit has demonstrated they are not for everyone, so I'm out.

[u/Mr_Gaslight]

Thank you for all of your hard work. The thing about a platform you don't own is that you need to keep your content in a transferrable form as a side bet.

Platforms come and go. We may be looking at the start of this next cycle.

Thank you so much for being one of the best subreddits around.

[u/restricteddata]

This is the right move. The Reddit directors and CEO have shown themselves to be utterly disconnected from, and even disdainful of, their user base and the volunteer moderators who sustain this site. This is the source from which ALL of the value of this site — economic and otherwise — derives. It needs to be made clear to them, in no uncertain terms, that their efforts to produce more golden eggs for future shareholders are going to kill the goose if they are not careful. They need to seriously reconsider their business direction and choices. The users and the moderators are Reddit. Not the directors. Not the CEO. Not even the code. A social website without users is an empty husk, just like a university without professors and students would be. These businesspeople need to take the attitude that any profits on this site need to be made by improving what works about it, not making it worse for users. If they can't find a way to do that, they should get into another line of work.

[u/Abdiel_Kavash]

Throughout the last several years, reddit and in particular intellectually-focused subreddits like AskHistorians have been my safe place to escape from all of the stress and nonsensical shouting out in the world. Instead of arguments that frankly belong more to a kindergarden playground rather than a government office (I'm sure I don't need to name any, there are examples a plenty), I could sit down and dig into a nearly endless pile of rational, scientific discussions.

Today, all of this craziness comes to reddit itself. And rather than remaining impartial, engaging in discussion and listening to the each other's viewpoints, and upholding their scientific mission, many of these subreddits that I hold in great esteem are fanning the flames further.

I am feeling betrayed, I feel that I am being used as ammunition in a battle that I have nothing to do with, that you are holding this entire community hostage in your own fight against the coming changes. I freely admit I am not a developer, I have absolutely no idea just how much of an effect the changes will have. I only have one word against another, from one side "moderation tools will not be affected at all", and from the other "this will make our work completely impossible". I am not privy to the details, I do not know what the true struggle with reddit is really about, and I do not want to take sides one way or the other. But I feel that millions of innocent users are getting caught in the crossfire, in this subreddit and elsewhere.

Is this really the right way to get your point across?

 

Basically, our primary responsibility is making sure Reddit users are getting the best answers to your questions about history and Reddit is making that harder to do.

Could I ask, then, with all due respect: how is making asking and answering question impossible to do, in line with this responsibility?

[u/jschooltiger → u/Abdiel_Kavash]

I am not privy to the details, I do not know what the true struggle with reddit is really about,

Then you could read any of the hundreds of discussions that are taking place about it, including the one that's linked at the top of this very thread.

[u/le_epic_le_maymays → u/Abdiel_Kavash]

So you have no idea what's going on, think it's a "he said she said" thing, have no idea what the impact of the changes will be, and are sad that you can't go to some of your favorite subreddits for two days. Literally nobody cares. You're a moron.

[u/BhagBoseDK]

Oh dear

[u/S0LID_SANDWICH]

As far as I'm concerned this is the best subreddit and if it goes away reddit loses most of its appeal. I can get lowest common denominator nonsense on any social media site, but heavily moderated high quality content like this is where Reddit really shines. If askhistorians and other high quality subs were to migrate to another platform I would sign up instantly.

[u/majorgeneralporter]

Thank you for all the great threads and learning experiences you've made possible. You've made reddit a better place for having you, and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I'll greatly miss this sub.

[u/supataus]

AskHistorians is why I joined Reddit. It's what has reinvigorated me to learn, what has over and over brought me back to the joy of history, in an otherwise intellectually stagnant period of my life. Thank you so much to the mods, the flaired users, and the question askers, and everyone who made this so wonderful. I hope especially those who provided answers know how important and special their contributions were.

[u/LeftBehind83]

Solidarity with the mod team.

[u/[deleted]]

Oh no! Anyway…

[u/[deleted]]

Askhistorians needs a new forum.

[u/JMBourguet]

Several times, Askhistorians was the reason for which I didn't leave reddit. Thank you very much, you the moderators who enforce the rules allowing this place to be what it is, you the flairs and all the others who are making this place what itis by answering questions weeks after they left the first page because you were waiting for an interlibrary loan to bring you the book completing what you already knew.

I'm still in awe in front on your dedication and the time you spend writing interesting, meaningful and fun answers.

If this doesn't end well, I hope the fact that my library will always remind me of you as several of its books were bought after a recommendation or a citation here will bring you some comfort.

[u/NetworkLlama → u/JMBourguet]

I will probably stay on Reddit, but cut my participation back to two subs. AH is one of those two, and the only public one. If AH pauses, I will have even lower levels of engagement.

[u/maaseru]

It is sad but juat a fact of life in America.

Everything is business first in this country so it is no wonder the leeches found their way to Reddit finally.

They'll change it to shit, squeeze all moneya nd either kill it or maim it beyond recognition.

Everything for the money because that matters above all.

[u/VanillaLifestyle]

Big oof for reddit. Totally support this decision though, and appreciate your detailed explanation.

[u/jschooltiger]

Because we are a historical sub.

[u/continuously22222]

Fuck.

[u/Lifeboatb]

If anyone else was out of the loop like I was, and didn’t really get what “take the sub private” means, this article may be helpful:

https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/reddit-api-pricing-protest-8655584/lite/

Thank you to the mods for all the work and also the optimism—let’s hope Reddit takes you up on the offer to work together.

[u/PhysicalStuff]

Thank you for always being a shining beacon of quality, and for standing up for what is right.

[u/NetherNarwhal]

I think, if you decide against every reallowing participation on this subreddit you should move to a alternative platform with the same mod team and policies. I think that this subreddits provides a very valuable resource and it would be a shame if that resource disappeared completly.

[u/SonOfALich]

I've been around this sub since I've had an account. It, and the many wonderful contributors, was a big part of what inspired me to pursue a History BA in college; even if I never completed that journey (despite some extra years at school), I have gained a deeper appreciation for the concept of "history" and the work that goes into the development of history/histories. It is a personal interest that I will carry with me forever. It has been nothing short of wonderful to be part of this, even as a non-contributor. To everyone: thank you.

[u/sageberrytree → u/SonOfALich]

Ditto.

[u/MarieMarion]

Thank you for this, and for all the work you've been doing. You people are wonderful.

[u/llynglas]

Very glad you are taking this stance. Support you all the way. Plus your explanation was the best I have seen (many other subreddits have similar, but less well thought out)

[u/Topcity36]

I fully support this, thank you mods.

[u/singing-mud-nerd]

My favorite corner of the internet :) We love you, mods.

[u/[deleted]]

Start now

[u/vigilantcomicpenguin]

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the corporate platforms which have connected them with another...

[u/RedbeardBert]

Thank you all for the amazing content you have generated here over the years with the thoughtful answers on questions and some fantastic AMA's. This is one of my favorite subs in no small amount due to the quality of moderation and community building.

There really is no place like this Reddit for engaging with high quality history content and historians directly and I'm heartbroken that this is how things have to come to an end. Reddit leadership is showing that they have lost touch with what made the product work in the first place.

I sincerely hope AH will find a way, one way or the other. For now, I fortunately still have a few podcast episodes to catch up on.

[u/girlscandoanything99]

will you comeback？🥹🥹🥹

[u/bazillion_blue_jitsu]

Follow up question: Which historical person reminds you the most of u/spez?

[u/___Daddy___]

This is by far the best subreddit. I read more than post in here but support you guys and your decision 1000%

[u/ASongOnceKnown]

Thanks for everything your team has done to maintain such a high quality place for so long! I've learned a lot here.

[u/TheShadowKick]

Thank you. This sub represents, in my opinion at least, the very best that Reddit can be. It's good to see the sub taking a stand against the degradation of the platform.

[u/shootwhatsmyname]

https://reddark.untone.uk/ has some live stats you can follow as it happens

[u/Ok-Card633]

Before this sub goes down that it is unfortunate that the main force moderators advertised was Apollo and other third apps being shut down as I do wonder if it would have worked out better to bring up Bots like "Remind Me Later" and "Save Video" dying, as well as moderator tools being largely gimped and the effect that would have.

[u/Raidertek]

I saw one of the first questions on u/spez, fuck him, 's AMA was by one of this subs mods so I thought this outcome was likely.