Summary

The author of the article is struggling with MOCS (Medium One Clap Syndrome), a condition where a writer on Medium feels upset upon receiving a single clap, perceived as an inadequate form of appreciation for their work.

Abstract

The article discusses the author's recent diagnosis with MOCS — Medium One Clap Syndrome, a condition characterized by distress over receiving only one clap on Medium articles. The author, who has been visiting psychiatrist Brian Brainmelt, describes MOCS as a severe issue, comparing a single clap to a slight or protest at a concert. The author's obsession with the number of claps received has led to compulsive behaviors, such as retaliating by giving a single clap to the least popular stories of one-clappers, which has become a significant disruption to the author's daily routine. Brian Brainmelt suggests that MOCS could be treated with medication or a surgical procedure known as deep brain stimulation (DBS), which would target the over-reactive area of the brain responsible for the author's distress over claps. However, the cost of such treatment would be the author's lifetime earnings from the Medium Partner program, leading the author to decide against the procedure and instead seek solace in humor and acceptance of the condition.

Opinions

The author perceives a single clap on Medium as akin to a boo or a sign of disapproval rather than a form of appreciation.
The author believes that Facebook's culture of "liking" has contributed to the misunderstanding of clapping on Medium, with some readers equating one clap to a like.
The psychiatrist, Brian Brainmelt, views the author's fixation on one-clap reactions as a compulsive disorder and suggests potential treatments including medication and DBS.
The author expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of medication, citing a 40% non-response rate, and is wary of the invasive nature and cost of DBS.
The author ultimately rejects the proposed treatment, opting instead to cope with the condition through humor and by writing more content on Medium.

Help! I Am Suffering From MOCS — Medium One Clap Syndrome

I have had very bad news.

This morning, I had to visit my psychiatrist (Brian Brainmelt) and he has told me I have a severe form of MOCS — Medium One Clap Syndrome. Basically, if you are a writer on Medium and another reader gives you ONE (and only ONE) clap, you get upset.

Upset?

That is putting it mildly.

As you know, any reader can give up to 50 claps for your story when they like or value it on Medium. Just like when you clap at a concert. You know the action, bang your hands together enthusiastically and express your joy and pleasure at such a wonderful happening. It works well in theaters, concert halls and of course, on Medium.

How can you clap ONCE at a concert? That is almost like a boo, a protest at some awful performance!

Have you ever seen a person clap once at a concert? Ridiculous, but they do it on Medium and get away with it.

I know the reason-it is Facebook’s fault.

Some readers just think one lousy, miserable little timid clap will be the same as a like. It is NOT.

I could feel my blood pressure rising again as I explained this to Brian Brainmelt. He told me to calm down and clapped his hands 50 times. I immediately felt better.

Brian then asked me various questions:-

BB :- Are you subject to repetitive thoughts on your MOCS condition? It sounds like a compulsive disorder.

Me:- Yes, I think constantly about getting even with readers who one-clap me. These thoughts just will not go away.

BB:- Do you take any action?

Me:- I go immediately to their Medium profile and give just one clap on their most unpopular stories. I scroll down through all their stories (sometimes hundreds) and look for one with NO claps. Then I shout out and award them ONE clap.

BB:- How many hours a day are you doing this?

Me:- 6–7 hours a day. If I one-clap about 100 writers on Medium, I calm down and can actually write a story or two. But it is ruining my workflow.

BB.- I have quite a few Medium patients. Some of them have MOCS while others have the RRD (Read ratio Disorder) and also Curation fever which is actually quite nasty, I must admit. Do you ever get any religious images when you experience this compulsion?

Me:- No, not really, except I want to send them all to Hell which I suppose is religious in a way. Except few religions mention Hell now. It’s all Heaven and 50 claps... What treatment do you recommend? Can I recover and start living a normal life again?

BB:- Well, medication may or may not work for you. The figure of 40% of patients not gaining any benefit from these drugs is not encouraging. I would suggest a surgical procedure such as deep brain stimulation (DBS).

Me:- What?? Brain surgery?

BB:- Well, just electrodes in the brain in the middle of your frontal cortex. We are going to target that area in your brain which is over-reacting to claps. It is like having a pacemaker in your brain.

Me:- Gosh!

BB:- When you see one clap, your brain will no longer react and you can get on with your life and write more and more for Medium without getting too upset. You will start to earn more and more. Your MOCS will get better quite quickly.

Me:- How much will all this cost?

BB:- Your life-time earnings on the Medium Partner program. We have an agreement with Medium so once you sign up for the operation, all payments will be sent to my bank account. Would you like to think about it before deciding?

Me:- I think I am already better! Thanks but no thanks.

Here’s another post on Medium addiction to help you laugh it all off!

Are You A Medium Addict? — There Is No Cure

Join the club of Medium addicts.

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