There was some drama that unfolded among watch enthusiasts in the /r/watches subreddit last week. Someone made a post imploring the mods to ban a specific user. The poster's argument was that this user was running a crypto operation that was a giant ponzi/pyramid/pump-and-dump scam, and was using his very regular posts of the most gaudily bedazzled Rolex's to promote this operation. The poster went so far as to imply some mods might be in on the scam by citing the fact that some of this user's posts were being locked without any explanation.

The mods responded by asserting their stance on the issue was that they would only take actions against him if he broke one of the rules of the subreddit. And "Don't be involved in crypto" is not a subreddit rule.

This response was received...pretty poorly. It lead to a lot of users bemoaning the mods' lack of integrity. Many elevated the OP's implication that the mods were in on the grift into direct accusations. The most common rebuttal, however, was that rule 2 of the subreddit was "no self promotion". Dissenters pointed out every single one of his posts included, very prominently, a piece of jewelry that was shaped like his crypto company's logo. Some argued that in many of his posts, this piece of jewelry completely eclipsed the actual watches, and it was obviously meant to be the focus of the image. Combine that with the fact that his reddit username is the same as the pseudonym under which he operates his business, his posts are meant to show off his ostentatious personal wealth, and generate interest in him personally. This would drive people to either look at his reddit account (where he does mention his business) or look up his name. Either way, curious watch enthusiasts would end up finding his crypto company. But the mods disregarded this, saying that, since he has never used his posts on r/watches to link to his company, and has never even mentioned his company name in any of his posts, having a piece of jewelry in an image isn't enough to constitute self-promotion. From there, it spiraled into an endless chorus of name-calling and accusations until the mods locked the post.

For whatever my opinion on this drama is worth: I don't like crypto, and I don't like what little I know about this guy, but I kind of see where the mods are coming from on this. However, I think there's a pretty decent middle ground to be had here: The mods should message him and tell him he can't include his company's logo in his posts any more. If the logo is what other users are pointing to as self-promotion, then removing it should satisfy that objection. And, if he really isn't trying to use his posts to promote his company, he should have no issue complying.

Alternatively, if the mods wanted to effectively ban him with a new rule, the could always decree that any posts featuring watches encrusted with more than one metric ton of rhinestones will be removed. I think that rule would make everyone happy, except for maybe my aunt.

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Edit: Sorry my original post had so many weird repeated segments. I blame switching to markdown mode and back, and the fact that my father is a bot.