How Reddit's cofounders built Reddit with an army of fake accounts
I'm surprised that this behaviour seems to be tolerated.  Yes, it works, but so do a lot of other slimy subterfuges and shady business practices.  I'm steadfastly of the opinion that if you can't be honest about how you are doing it, it shouldn't be done, and shouldn't be condoned.  I do not believe that ends justify means.  Lies and deceit make for a lousy foundation.Would the site really have been worse off if the same posts had been submitted under the founders' real names?  Instead of starting out with false pretenses, could they have encouraged their friends to contribute?  I think once one goes down this path, the success of the whole endeavor is tainted. Yes, crime frequently pays and cheaters often win, but that's something that we as a community should work to change.