The number of problems with self hosting a small image board are massive. Content moderation, bandwidth limitations, storage. It is all exponentially more difficult with images. And as you mention yes it does have an effect of producing higher “effort” posts. Altho as we see that effect can be marginal (not you, and really it’s a subjective thing anyway. Nothing really wrong with pointless meme jerking)
The number of problems with self hosting a small image board are massive. Content moderation, bandwidth limitations, storage. It is all exponentially more difficult with images.
And as you mention yes it does have an effect of producing higher “effort” posts. Altho as we see that effect can be marginal (not you, and really it’s a subjective thing anyway. Nothing really wrong with pointless meme jerking)