avatarJay C Wells

Summary

Medium has been covertly introducing gamification features disguised as glitches to enhance writer engagement and creativity.

Abstract

A recent exposé by The Kraken News has revealed that Medium, a popular writing platform, intentionally introduced what appeared to be glitches to its users. These so-called glitches were actually gamification strategies designed to keep writers engaged and foster creativity. The leaked documents suggest that genetically modified guinea pigs, reduced in size and enhanced in cognitive abilities, were responsible for the unpredictable changes to the website's functionality. Tech experts and behavioural psychologists, such as Marcus Jungfreud, have praised the approach for its ability to surprise writers and encourage adaptive thinking. Writers have reported increased interaction with the platform, such as repeatedly clapping for articles, to navigate and adapt to the whimsical behavior of the website.

Opinions

  • Marcus Jungfreud views the gamification glitches as an innovative method to maintain writer engagement.
  • An anonymous insider suggests that the disappearing claps feature is a tactic to increase article views.
  • Sandy Sanderson, a Top Writer, finds the experience humorous and enjoys the unpredictability of the platform's behavior.
  • The article implies that the intentional glitches are a form of entertainment for writers, likened to a game.
  • The author of the exposé seems to appreciate the creativity behind Medium's strategy, despite its deceptive nature.
  • The article encourages readers to support journalism financially, suggesting that the quality of content, even satirical, deserves compensation.
  • The author promotes their own work and invites readers to support them on platforms like Ko-fi, Patreon, and through Medium's membership program, emphasizing the value of their fictional tales and journalism.

THE KRAKEN NEWS | BREAKING NEWS | SATIRE

Breaking News: Medium Glitches are Gamification Features

Changes aim to keep writers engaged and creative

A group of hamsters taking over Medium’s control centre / created by the author with NightCafé

Saturday, 21 January 2023, San Francisco. Leaked documents reveal that the popular writing platform Medium secretly introduced gamification. The revelation comes after months of complaints by writers about glitches on the website.

The document, which was never intended to be released to the public, proves that Medium proactively introduced the supposed glitches to keep writers engaged and creative. After intensive research, our investigative journalist uncovered the genius behind the gamification glitches.

Genetically modified guinea pigs had taken possession of Medium’s servers. The so-called Guin Z guinea pigs were reduced to the size of hamsters, but unlike their Guin Y and Guin X predecessor, they have higher cognitive power than our correspondent.

Their unsolicited tweaking led to comedic effects, positively influencing writers and their creativity. Their approach was subsequently improved and secretly implemented on the website.

“It is a rather ingenious idea,” said tech expert and behavioural psychologist Marcus Jungfreud, “that keeps writers awake. Writers never know if the home button is still there when they open a new page, so they must plan coping strategies and react promptly to the website’s erratic behaviour.”

An anonymous insider explained the miraculously disappearing claps served a similar purpose. “What do you do when your claps disappear under your friend’s story? You go back and clap … again. And again. And again. That’s how you create views!”

Sandy Sanderson, the Top Writer in Top Writing and Topless Writing, described it as the funniest writing experience since primary school. The hairy-chested 50-year-old man from Low Hutton, England, refused to wear clothes above the beltline during the interview. Sanderson revealed he regularly giggled and made bets with himself about where on his profile pic of a muscular, shaved chest would appear.

Back to the newsroom and Jacinta Palmer.

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About The Kraken News — Writing Prompt by Bradan Writes Stories:

💯 Story Challenge — News Edition (8/100)

Do you want to support great journalism? Then, go and pay for The Guardian!

You can, however, support me in writing more nonsense like this, and it was never easier! You can do so on Ko-fi and Patreon or by (re-)joining Medium with my referral link. It is only a small payment for you, but a big step for humanity. (Pinky promise!)

If you join Medium with my referral link, you can enjoy all my fictional tales and those of other writers. Subscribe to my email list and never miss another fantastic story!

Satire
Humor
Kraken News
Medium Glitches
Fiction
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