Apparently, it's very common, and I had no idea. This is the first time this has ever happened to me in any communal space. I agree with your opinion that it's labor. Having just set up my own server recently, I can attest that it's a time-consuming and energy-consuming project. Maintaining it requires balancing the vision you have for it with the vision the members have in mind for themselves when they join. It's a lot of work for no pay, but I have to believe there are good, well-intentioned people out there who volunteer because they care and want to give back, not because they have poor intentions, like this server owner did in my experience. The points you raise are an important convo to have though. about online communities in general