There are a few other dark patterns hidden in there too, all coincidentally pushing in a direction that's good for reddit.
I suspect that's the real purpose of the redesign and that all complaints will fall on deaf ears until someone actually manages to disrupt reddit.
I mean at this point I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever. Is there even a plausible other explanation?
I only lurk on reddit but it's rather comical how bad it's become. And not just the interface, the content too, /r/all is basically Facebook with a slightly younger audience and you have to get deeper and deeper into niche subreddits to find worthwhile discussions.
If Reddit isn't charging and managing those using their platform for that purpose -- not an insignificant number, surely -- they are fools.
Which raises the question wouldn't that be better served with a forum...