Summary

The author expresses concern about the increasing toxicity within the Medium writing community, while emphasizing the importance of speaking up and not being silenced by fear or intimidation.

Abstract

The author of the article, a seasoned writer on Medium, addresses the growing negativity and toxicity within the platform's writing community. Despite the risk of backlash, the author is determined to voice their concerns and not be silenced by fear. They reflect on their past writings, which have covered a range of topics including personal experiences and writing advice, and highlight the shift towards addressing issues within the Medium community. The author points out problems such as seasoned writers' complaints, struggles for views and earnings, confusion over stats, and editors' grievances. They advocate for an open and civil dialogue to resolve these issues, hoping to improve the community rather than contribute to its toxicity. The article concludes with a call for constructive discussion and a brief survey for reader responses.

Opinions

The author believes that speaking up is crucial, even in the face of a toxic environment, and will not be deterred by fear or intimidation.
They feel that the Medium writing community is becoming increasingly hostile and divisive.
The author is concerned that the current state of the community could undermine what was initially a supportive and nurturing environment.
They acknowledge the diversity of their writing portfolio, which extends beyond Medium-centric topics to include personal stories and well-researched articles.
The author is critical of clickbait titles and inflammatory content but admits to sometimes falling for them.
They are worried that the negativity could lead to a departure of writers from the platform, seeking a more positive "home."
The author is prepared to face potential negative consequences, such as loss of followers or earnings, as a result of speaking out.
They express a desire for a civil and constructive dialogue within the community to address and improve upon the current issues.
The author encourages patience with Medium as it works through these challenges and hopes for a resolution that benefits all members of the community.

The Environment Around Here is Getting TOXIC as Hell!

Are we part of the problem when we dare to speak up?

Once again, I find myself compelled to speak on a controversial topic. And what could be more controversial than all the discontent that is becoming more and more evident in this writing community?

I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the environment is getting toxic as hell.

I’m honestly not trying to be part of the problem by speaking up and speaking out, but as long as I can draw a breath, I’ll never allow fear or intimidation (real or imagined) to silence me ever again; about anything.

If you’ve only recently started reading my stories, you might assume that the only thing I write about is the topic of writing on Medium. It’s true; I’m always writing about ways to earn money, while helping other writers in the process.

I write a lot about the subject of writing in general, and since I happen to be on the Medium platform; I write about writing on Medium.

But make no mistake, I have lots of other topics I’ve covered, and even some in depth and well researched long form articles.

If you’ve been reading my stories since I first started writing on Medium, you already know that much of my early writing was very intimate.

Intimate in the sense that I shared a lot of personal experiences about my childhood, and growing up as a product of the foster care system.

I also spoke about the many life lessons I experienced, as a result of trying all the wrong ways, and eventually the right ways to cope with life.

So why am I writing stories like:

Hey Medium: Can We Talk Openly About the ELEPHANT in the Room? — The comments about the MWC winning story are snowballing

Welcome New Writers and Please Excuse the Mess! — Don’t you hate it when your co-workers make a bad impression on a new employee?

6 Month BURNOUT: 440 Stories Later and Still Struggling for Reads! — Do you want to see a transparent update about my Medium journey?

Many New Members are Happy to Help their Fellow Writers Gain Followers — Are you a new writer still struggling for followers?

Eureka! Look What I Discovered about Read Ratio for Medium Stories — Are you confused about how the hell the read ratio on a story really works?

When the rumblings start the keys on the keyboard click

I can’t speak for other writers and what motivates them, but I’ve been a serious writer for nearly half my life. Writing has always been my savior and helped me to cope with anything that life ever threw at me.

In one way or another, at some point in time, I write about everything in my life, including my writing and how I feel about it. I’m not just a prolific writer, I’m a passionate writer.

The above stories were written out of my necessity to express how I FEEL about what I BELIEVE I see going on in this community.

What I see going on in the Medium writing community

I can’t deny that just like many of us, sometimes I’m a sucker and I fall for a clickbait title or two (dozen). But even the titles and stories that don’t amount to clickbait; some can be really heated and inflammatory.

In many ways, my own titles are beginning to include a little more punch, because I find myself getting annoyed and frustrated.

I’m worried that all this confusion is going to upset what I initially believed was an awesome home, and some place I wouldn’t mind putting down roots.

I distinctly remember the same feeling from childhood; when I landed in a foster home that finally seemed like a good fit, only to have problems and negativity come along and ruin things.

If anyone can recognize a toxic environment, it’s me, and trust me, things are definitely on the toxic side around here.

Here’s what I see:

Seasoned writers gripping about who and how others support new writers
Writers having to struggle to the extremes, to get more views, and earnings
Writers confused and not understanding how their stats are calculated
Editors complaining about issues regarding the services they volunteer to perform for the writing community

It’s really turning into a hot mess, and the sad thing is, anyone who dares speak about it will eventually be viewed as being among the rebel rousers (Google it kids, for you young ‘uns who don’t know what that means).

I realize that writing this may actually mean cutting my nose off to spite my face, because:

The mean spirited people who show no civility when they convey their opposing opinions may want to eat me alive.
Some of my followers may choose to desert me, out of fear of getting scorched by the flames when the above-mentioned folks set me on fire!
Medium may decide to put me in the pile of “the first to go” when they start chopping off the heads of writers who keep getting in their business (such as anyone too focused on what the hell might be going on).
And of course, the BIG one; I might even see a drastic plunge in my earnings, resulting from any one or all of the above possibilities.

Am I prepared to deal with the blow back, if any? As I already stated:

…as long as I can draw a breath, I’ll never allow fear or intimidation (real or imagined) to silence me ever again; about anything.

Final Thoughts

Just as the subtitle suggests, I constantly question myself, to check and make sure I’m not part of the problem, and adding to the toxicity.

My sincere desire is only to create an open, but civil dialogue.

We can disagree like adults and not throw shade
We can correct and clarify in a constructive way
We can learn and improve on issues that we bring upon ourselves
We can be patient and give Medium a chance to figure things, out to the benefit of everyone concerned

I, for one, don’t want to have to leave and find another “home” and I know there are lots of other writers who feel the same way I do.

I’d much rather see us find a way to clear all this toxic air, and create an environment we can all breathe in.

BRIEF SURVEY: Please leave a quick response 😄

EXAMPLE OF QUICK RESPONSE: D/B/B

😄 More than 450 stories published 😄 Follow on TWITTER: @GoodeWriter Read my: short form stories in the DAILY JUSTISS publication 😄

Not a Medium Member yet? Join now with my referral link: https://justissgoode.medium.com/membership and I’ll earn a small monetary reward plus I can also HELP YOU GET STARTED EARNING! 😄