Did some digging and I believe this is it:

Box Mangle

I’ve never heard of it before, but it appear to be a giant laundry press. Not exactly my first guess!

It’s labor, but a labor of love.

My theory is this: new Lemmy users aren’t comfortable yet, so some are looking for easy ways to begin engaging with the site. 196 is a low-stakes way to make a first post without the anxiety of a higher effort post.

I don’t think I mind it either, if it gets more people actively participating in some way. And if it grows too out of control, at least there’s a block option.

2007, on a high school field trip to an amusement park. My friends and I were all standing around outside, near a little restaurant seating area.

A teenage boy from another school came bolting over, nearly knocking over a chair. He said to me directly, “I’m lost, can you find my dad?”

He was fake twitching and holding his hands up against his chest. I was just confused, and none of us knew how to respond. Just a second later, another teenage boy (not fake twitching this time) ran up. He threw his arm around the other boy and said to me, “thank you for watching my mentally challenged* friend. Can I have your number in case it happens again?”

A teacher promptly ran over and broke up the interaction, telling the boys to beat it.

Probably the most creative attempt I’ve ever witnessed, although it was pretty clumsy. We referred to them as “Mr. Twitch and Captain Pickup Line” in retellings of the story throughout high school lol

*not the terminology he used in 2007

I really doubt there’s anything the user base could do to change the company’s path. There are millions of people that will continue to use their product regardless of bad UI and even worse PR. It’s not what the average reddit user is concerned with. The lowest common denominator just wants an outlet to consume media, and Reddit can still deliver that.

My personal opinion on all of this - Reddit will continue to grow and change, and it will get worse and worse for longtime users who remember the earlier years. I’m happy to abandon ship now so that it’s no longer my problem at least.

Sorry for the downer reply lol

The shape of the cutout almost reminds me of a bottle opener. What are the dimensions we’re dealing with?

I don’t think it would necessarily be a good bottle opener. But the mismatched sizes of the “feet” could mean it was hand made, possibly by an amateur? School shop project?

I think 4 now. Keep refreshing for new answers. He responded to the “threat” allegations towards Christian (Apollo dev) and it… isn’t going over well.

I grew up making Top Ramen in the microwave, and never thought anything of it. The square noodle bricks, not the soup cups. I’ve recently been informed that’s not the correct preparation method and I should be using the stove. Oh well, I’ve got the timing nailed, not stopping now. lol