Because Reddit != Reddit and each subreddit has their own audience and moderation style. Most of Reddit might be a cesspit, but that doesn't mean all of it is.

I can't understand why cigarettes have such a loyal fanbase. They're smelly and expensive. Costing roughly 4k a year, I can't understand why someone wouldn't buy a nicer car or massive TV or something.

Whenever a platform is popular these days I just assume it is more addictive.

It's a long long, sad fall from when websites used to be popular primarily because they were insightful, cool or creative

Which is very on topic because being addictive is all that's needed to succeed in the ad-funded world.

Well op is comparing one cigarette to another, expanding your metaphors. And they're both "free".

Free, sure, if your privacy has no value.