The reason this doesn't work is because there is no agreed price for someone's time. If I research for a book for 20 years while I was living on my normal paycheck how much money should I make before relinquishing my copyright? If I paint a breathtaking picture in 5 minutes on a napkin I will abolish my copyrights after selling a copy for 3$?
In Mafia there was a scene in a multifloor parking lot that there was supposed to be a deal made. Ofcourse the deal goes sideways when police crash the part and a shootout occurs. I don't know why I have a very vivid memory of this scene since I was a little boy, it must be like 20 years ago or something but I still remember every detail about this fight. Here you can see it
I anticipate Reddit, Inc. will attempt to downplay the effect by focusing on numbers that take engagement out of the picture
You pretty much described every corporation in the history of mankind. This is what they always do.