I think it could/should be argued that anybody who is passionate about Bitcoin should run at least one full node. A basic VPS for a few bucks a month can handle a node, as can a Raspberry Pi for $60ish (including price of SD card). Each individual independent node makes the whole network stronger.

While I admit 800 is a bit excessive, it is in a way just an extension of the same principle. Also, if those are Classic nodes, he's increasing the security of other Classic nodes by making it harder to DDoS Classic off the map. So in that sense what he's doing is quite useful- if his 800 nodes make it cost-prohibitive to DDoS Classic off the map, then I can more safely run a Classic node from my house.

I don't currently run a node, however I plan to start running a node in the next week or so. Showing support for Classic is part of the motivation to get me off my ass, but the real reason is to strengthen the network. I believe Bitcoin was most secure back when every user was both a node and a miner. While I don't have money to burn on unprofitable mining, I can definitely run at least one node and I've been meaning to for a while (since before even BitcoinXT was a thing). I've been a bit lazy though :.