There is some difference I see in the management layer, with more dynamic resource allocation in a cloud infrastructure compared to traditional data center usage.

Exactly what I expected from them. The same interests that want chat control are here as well.

There could be a middlegreound if revolt implemented a central openid user registry, presence indication and e2ee direct chat plus self hosted communities using that login (and maybe optional local registration). And maybe a community overview for public communities.

The take is more like “landed gentry” has too little oversight, they are too independent. They are too far removed from their “king” and dont want to follow his every whim. (If you equate the subreddits to valuable land they were bequeathed)

The last point does exist, those printers are just more expensive because they are no loss leaders and no ink sales are expected.