[clnq]

> What exactly are you referring to here? I see this narrative in a lot of places and I’m confused about what “values” mods supposedly collectively have?

Taking communities private was a stand for values (or shown as such). Now that's being reversed when these mods are threatened with removal. So there seems to be some significant value in modding they don't want to lose.

> So much discussion online paints moderators as some sort of a connected cabal with alternative motives instead of unrelated nerds who enjoy niche content.

I wouldn't describe it as a cabal (some secret, influential, political org). But these strikes have been coordinated half-publicly[0] and half-privately among mods of subs. And the goal is to influence Reddit in a way that the group prefers. In a political context, that would be close to a cabal. Regardless, I don't think cabals are immoral unless their goals are.

[0] https://www.reddit.com/r/ModCoord/