How do we talk about something you just encouraged everyone not to read about or discuss because it would spoil it?

Yes, because nobody wants their fucking time wasted. If I'm going to jump through all your hoops to apply for your position, and go through the interview carousel, I want to make sure it's not so that you can offer me 20% less than I make now.

Yes, if anything they're more useful than ever. By not being able to see a score/like vs dislike total, or anything along those lines, your decision to up vote is completely uninfluenced, and 100% your own. That's very helpful in that it's unbiased. You might see a post with thousands of up votes and think "why bother" or "dang everyone likes thisbi should too". Without that subtle influence, you're purely up voting content that you felt was beneficial to you and others would appreciate.

I'm not trying to nay say or poopoo you, but the best course of action is to stop talking about/worrying about/focusing on Reddit. A wise friend once said "you'll never get over your ex if you're constantly checking on and talking/thinking about your ex."

This type of post essentially functions as a reddit stand-in for you to discuss reddit while not on reddit. That, in and of itself, is kind of self affirming for reddit. Example - you're posting this asking if anyone feels the same as you, however, by even asking it, you're also enabling people to read it and think "gee, maybe they're right and we should just cave and accept".

Instead of this type of post, focus on developing the new community you've joined. Get over your ex by moving on and focusing on the future, not thinking about what they're doing or living in the past.

Cheers