It is a subconscious level ad for the utility/value of the platform. You don’t need to be overt about the screenshot containing Lemmy by name. Any subtle details are all that is needed. This is all it takes to attract the most valuable people; simply show them that they are missing out on something useful. It is effective psy ops.
Me too, but not all are, and this place is hemorrhaging and getting smaller. This is one logical way to do several things. Think about all angles of what I am saying and what it means for all involved. If r/loli or (whatever it was) needed a moderator to grow early reddit, and that is what spaz did, I get it. I would have used a burner, but I get it, and am in a similar vain here. I’m not straddling, but I know many are. Motivating anyone to take a little more action here is a habit forming positive. Getting people thinking about posting unique content with value to them is another important angle.