I think you overestimate the value of random sources of entertainment. Take away one, people will cry for a day, a week later it is forgotten.

We have an incredible abundance of content.

Forbes will go out of business, and redditors might be mildly annoyed for a minute. All of the power is in the hands of the users, and users don't want to negotiate in this case.

"Obviously redditors like their articles"

Do they? Isn't being coated in ads a normal condition of clickbait? Is clickbait high quality content?