i cannot stress this enough, do NOT run the command ffmpeg -filter_complex “nullsrc=s=1920x1080,geq=random(1)*255:128:128[vout]” -map “[vout]” -t 46 -c:v libx264 out.mp4 in order to generate one of these large video files then upload them en masse in order to slow down their servers,
Speaking unironically, I don’t think a distributed denial of service attack is a really justifiable means of protest in this situation, we have a perfectly usable and in many ways superior alternative, we’re on the alternative right now. No dirty tactics needed. Nobody’s imprisoned on Reddit. And cyberattack laws in many countries are often broadly worded enough that doing something like the video upload you described could conceivably open you to criminal liability.
But hey, don’t let me stop you, I’m not your parent.
I’m OK with slightly immoral actions against justified targets; my main concern is effectiveness. This will at most slow down Reddit’s servers, but it’ll be practically invisible to users.
Instead a better approach might be to generate text and pictures that discourage other users from going to Reddit. Goatse, copypasta, gibberish, flyers telling people what’s going on, so goes on. In this sense I think that the subs posting John Oliver pictures, plus r/latestagecapitalism with orcas, got the right idea. It’s also legally safer.
One thing doesn’t exclude the other, right?