Alexis Ohanian Reveals What He Misses About Leading Reddit in 3 Words
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit, recently shared his thoughts on his time at the company during an “Ask Me Anything” session. This discussion was held to highlight the relaunch of Digg, an old competitor to Reddit.
Ohanian’s Departure from Reddit
Ohanian left Reddit’s board of directors in June 2020, following the tragic death of George Floyd. He described his resignation as a “long overdue” decision aimed at encouraging the company to adopt significant policy changes. He specifically advocated for the inclusion of a Black candidate to take his place, in light of criticism regarding Reddit’s handling of racist and hate speech on the platform.
Ohanian’s Response on Leadership
When asked if he misses being in leadership at Reddit during the AMA, Ohanian’s reply was direct. He stated, “I do not.” His focus has since shifted towards fostering a more constructive online environment.
Digg’s Rebirth
Digg, a platform originally launched in 2004 by Kevin Rose and Jay Adelson, is making a comeback. In 2008, there was an unsuccessful attempt by Google to acquire Digg for $180 million. The platform was later purchased by Betaworks for $500,000 in 2012. Recently, Rose reacquired it, and Ohanian is now involved in its development.
Community-First Approach
In the AMA, Ohanian emphasized that the revamped Digg would prioritize its community. The platform will feature a transparent algorithm that reflects users’ actual interests. He reassured users that there would be no algorithmic manipulation from AI.
- Digg aims for a user-friendly approach without AI-driven content ranking.
- Ohanian promises a straightforward, human-readable feed logic.
- No black box engine will be used for content optimization.
With these initiatives, Ohanian hopes to foster an environment that encourages genuine discourse and engagement among users. His departure from Reddit appears to have catalyzed a significant change in his approach towards online community-building.
