Same story here. Probably about a decade using Reddit and it just aint what it used to be even 5 years ago, forget 10 years ago.
I started off just looking for an alternative but quickly warmed to the whole idea of the fediverse (after I figured out what it is lmao). Feels like it hits a really good balance between old-style internet forums and modern-style social media.
It made me realize we don't have to settle for a 1:1 clone - we can build something better. Something that can't be held hostage by a bunch of shareholders and execs, or run into the ground by one asshole.
I think there's a chance to make something really fucking awesome here and I'd rather contribute to that than go back to doomscrolling on Reddit. At this point, I don't think I'd go back even if they miraculously reversed everything.
Youtube don't need to eliminate adblocks; they just need the barrier of entry to be large enough to discourage the general population from blocking ads.
I think the whole reason YouTube started this crackdown is because adblocking has become a lot more mainstream and easily accessible.
Once they make blocking ads more difficult 95% of users will go back to watching ads, and it's simply not worth the time & money to fight against the remaining 5%.
If you're tech-literate enough to be on the fediverse, and willing to spend a half hour on adblocking, you're not who YouTube's targeting. You're part of the stubborn 5% who will find a workaround for whatever YT throws at us.