I feel like we're getting closer to the moment where all high quality discussion will be locked behind invite only forums. (anyone can read, need an invite to write)

I can't really think of any other solution to the prevalence of bots as it gets easier and cheaper to write human seeming content

What's going to stop advertisers and propagandists from paying off those forum gatekeepers? Unless they're already wealthy or monks, they're going to be trivial to corrupt and the content will be even more effective!

you pay them in the only resource known to humanity to be worth more than money - petty forum power predicated on exclusivity.

As the person who wrote the original reply I agree, and can ensure you that I have no skin in promoting a product - my intention is to promote the outcome.

If someone makes this happen with custom rfid chip I can tape to my fridge I’ll be happy enough.