The Digital City at the Bell

With astronomical growth came severe turbulence. Operating a decentralized commonwealth where volunteer moderators hold the keys meant that the platform’s real workforce didn't draw a corporate paycheck—and their loyalty could never be taken for granted.

In July 2015, this fault line ruptured during the tumultuous tenure of interim CEO Ellen Pao. When Reddit abruptly dismissed Victoria Taylor, a widely respected community liaison who worked closely with volunteer moderators to coordinate celebrity AMA sessions, the moderator community erupted in protest.