There must be web analytics backing up these decisions to stamp out community threads and bolster dumb/weird threads on Gaming and OT.
Ad revenue probably shoots up whenever dumb threads get posted because you have a bunch of people linking to GAF on other sites saying, "Look at these fucking weirdos!"
Then GAF gets a bunch of new site visitors from those links and EL cackles while rubbing his hands together in his posh penthouse suite.