Comment by LanceH

> I never got the impression that the community is claiming that Reddit doesn't produce any value.

There are tons of statements all over the place on, "we produce all the value". There are statements in this very thread that Reddit brings little or nothing to the table.

Yes, somehow, despite apparently building little to nothing, everyone coalesced around Reddit and not some grander effort.

I can't explain Reddit or defend their actions, but the response looks more like a tantrum with petty people flexing what little power they have to feel important. The Api problem is just the excuse.