It’s optimized for pictures and videos and ads. The old layout works better for text and links and it shows. Old Reddit was perfect for quickly checking a niche subreddit - just skim the 20 or 30 headlines, open interesting links in a new tab or check some comments and you are informed about what is currently happening in that niche. Maybe you also read some text posts with questions. New Reddit is optimized to keep you scrolling and to put an endless stream of ragebait in your face.