Hello Medium, Nobody’s Home

Summary

The author reflects on the disappearance of their Medium stats during the holiday season and ponders the significance of viewer engagement metrics to their writing motivation and satisfaction.

Abstract

The article titled "Hello Medium, Nobody’s Home: And All My Stats have Vanished Part 2" discusses the author's reaction to the sudden disappearance of their Medium statistics over the holidays, as Medium's office is closed from December 18th to January 2, 2022. The author grapples with the importance of these metrics, acknowledging a stronger-than-expected attachment to the numbers and graphs that represent reader engagement. While admitting some ego gratification from popular articles, the author questions whether the true motivation behind writing is the joy of expression and connection or if it's influenced by the analytics and monetary aspects of the platform. The piece concludes with the author deciding to take a break from the obsession with stats, focusing instead on the holiday season and the joy of writing, while still inviting readers to engage with their content.

Opinions

The author expresses a mix of concern and philosophical reflection regarding the absence of their Medium stats, indicating a complex relationship with viewer engagement metrics.
There is an acknowledgment of the psychological impact of statistics, with the author admitting that rising numbers can be a source of gratification and motivation.
The author questions the purity of their motivations for writing, considering whether they are swayed by the analytics and potential earnings on Medium.
Despite the attachment to stats, there is a conscious decision to prioritize the intrinsic joy of writing and the human connections it fosters over the preoccupation with numerical feedback.
The author takes a light-hearted approach to the situation, suggesting that the statistical blackout might be an opportunity for introspection and growth as a writer.
A sense of community is conveyed as the author extends holiday greetings to fellow Medium users and staff, emphasizing the shared experience of navigating the platform's quirks.

Medium’s Office is Closed from December 18th to January 2, 2022

What a head trip. My stats have vanished into cyberspace and the chances of having them restored before next year looks remote, at best.

So, I ask myself again:

“Just how important are these columns of numbers and graphs to satisfying my curiosities about who and how many are responding to my articles?”

There’s a sense of attachment here that is a little stronger than I had anticipated. After all there’re just numbers right?

Are Stats Really that Important?

While my numbers go up and down like a yo-yo, it’s still nice to get some feedback as I experiment with content or short form or short stories or whatever is on the writing palette in that moment.

And I admit there’s some ego gratification for writing a piece that grabs more attention than previous submissions.

But, am I trying to convince myself that I’m writing just for the joy of expression and connection? Perhaps my motivations are not completely exclusive of the numbers and dollar games being played out on Medium?

It’ll be interesting to see where my writing head and heart will settle out on this issue or perhaps I’ll just take a deep breath and roll-on without stats and share the experience in Part 3?

Take a Break

But the better part of me says it’s time to wrap some gifts and catch another full moon rising and an almost solstice jungle sunset.

Thanks Medium for the prompt!

Happy Holidays to All (Medium staff included)!

It’s been a fantastic roller coaster ride with all of you for my first five months on Medium!

P.S. If you have more urgent issues with your Medium account you can email: [email protected]! Cheers!

P.S.S. Please Clap, I’d love to hear from you during my Medium statistical lunar eclipse!

Hello Medium, Nobody’s Home

And All My Stats have Vanished Part 2

Medium’s Office is Closed from December 18th to January 2, 2022

Are Stats Really that Important?

Take a Break

Hello Medium, Anyone Home?

Where’s My Stats? Part I