I think another side effect is that as the rules get enforced more, there's less decedenting opinion, for fear of starting a big flame war and getting banned, o

I think another side effect is that as the rules get enforced more, there's less decedenting opinion, for fear of starting a big flame war and getting banned, or the people who would post opposite view points end up banned after not "being polite". So the subreddit just turns into a big feel good circle jerk over a topic which tends to drive new people away.