Help! My Bell is Broken or I’ve Been Blackballed

Summary

A writer on Medium is experiencing anxiety over the sudden lack of notifications and engagement on their articles, fearing they might have been blackballed or that their writing quality has declined, but finds relief upon discovering they have been published and their bell (notification system) is not broken.

Abstract

The author, a dedicated Medium contributor who has completed a 30-day poetry challenge, expresses their initial pride and joy in their growing audience and the positive reinforcement from daily notifications and view counts. However, their confidence is shaken when the anticipated green bell notifications cease, and their article receives only a single clap from a non-reciprocal follower. This leads to a frantic search for an explanation, including checking multiple browsers and entertaining the possibility of being blackballed by a conspiracy. The writer's concern is compounded by the thought that their content may no longer resonate with readers or that a technical glitch is to blame. Ultimately, the writer's anxiety is alleviated when they discover a new publication featuring their work, confirming that their writing is still being recognized and the notification system is functioning.

Opinions

The writer initially takes pride in their writing and the engagement it receives on Medium.
The absence of notifications and a significant drop in views causes the writer to question the quality of their writing and whether they have been intentionally excluded or "blackballed."
The writer's reliance on engagement metrics, such as views and claps, indicates a strong desire for validation and concern over their standing in the Medium community.
The writer oscillates between self-doubt, paranoia about being silenced by a "deep state" conspiracy, and the realization that external factors like seasonal activities could be influencing reader engagement.
The writer's relief and renewed joy upon discovering their work has been published and their bell is functioning suggest the importance of recognition and community feedback in their writing process.

Suddenly insecure writer worries in prose

A member since February 2021. I am forever in Medium time, typing editing. typing completed a challenge 30 days of poetry you snicker, but ought not it was 30 days of daily posts and praise

So full of pride I was I’d delight awaking to little green bells ding-a-ling went my heartstrings My views grew and grew and dipped and grew but up was the general way

Joy oh so filled with joy I’ve found my place in this race to be heard my voice was ringing that bell and even better applause for me time and again. 499 views! means little I know but still the number feels good

Illusion oh so filled with illusion I am I fear for today no dings, no alings, no nothing but a single clap for a thank you given to a piece of warm-hearted how to live your life you go girl, truly inspiring, but a single clap from a follower of someone I now follow who follows me not

Too many times I checked for that bell to ring on safari on chrome on Firefox on duck duck go the answer the same, clearly I’ve been blocked from 117 views to zero in nothing flat

pause while I check once again. Still nothing Drat! No medium — a good evening you’ve not given I’ve become to analytics driven or blackballed by some deep state conspiracy editors aligned to ensure I’m never heard

That’s it! That must be the answer, can’t be my writings gone sour, no surely not or perhaps, like here the sun is shining there,where ere that be you’re double vaxed, fresh air is calling and gardens a tending hugs to be had..it’s not that my writing is bad or the bell be broken. People are about having a life

oh can’t resist — refresh — a single ding almost afraid to see what lies beneath Rest easy you worried writer, put your fears away Woo-hoo! you’ve been published, the joy doesn’t fade the bell still announces you’ve been heard, you are seen!