Does Riot even listen to the boards?

Depends on what part of it. Take their suggestions on gameplay and balance? HELL no. Champion concepts, also likely not. Skin concepts have been taken from the boards before (Officer Vi, Battle Bunny Riven, and I believe Ice Drake Shyvana), and bug reports obviously do get acted on.

Most red posts are explaining the rationale behind certain changes, but the vitriol with which the boards respond really discourages employees from interacting with people in this way.

I mean yeah they do. Just not the toxic crybabies that make up 75% of the boards populus. They only listen to people that are worth their effort.

im just going too say it here as well no they don't. (let the rito defense force come and try to do their fanboy jobs)