Highlight This.
Welcoming a discussion with Medium developers
New Perspective is Good
What I’ve discovered over the course of the last month and a half navigating Medium is revealing, regarding highlights.
Had a really great discussion with Lorrae G. this morning, in response to this terrific article she wrote:
It offers a work-around excessive highlighting, because she had to make it happen. Her points are totally valid. And it led me to write this. As it’s an opportunity for Medium Engineering to improve upon the platform’s features.
So Let’s Talk
Lorrae G. and I shared thoughts in the comments, and I mentioned how I stumbled upon a way to avoid highlights through posting typewritten pages as images. Like this:
She explained that this is difficult to read, which is true. Part of this is because my typewriter ribbon needs a change, but also because it’s lacking in image resolution. The pages I upload are scanned in high-res. So, Medium Engineering, if there’s a way to allow higher quality images to post, I would be grateful. It will help folks who require reading assistance to fully enjoy my work. I find myself squinting at times even with 20/20 vision. Substack allowed me to zoom in with each and every word and really analyze the typewritten text. I loved that feature. That said, I’m sticking with Medium because I am at home here. Hopefully you can add a similar feature with the images soon. Thank you.
Now, Back to Highlights
It seems David Perlmutter is often the elephant in the room when it comes to this discussion. Beyond his enthusiasm with highlighting articles, he’s also reading. And writing.
David finds the Easter eggs I put in my work, and highlights them. He also comments. Like in this case:
As a result, David is now in my most recent novel. And this is how we decide to collaborate.
That said…
Lorrae G. also pointed out there are times when reading articles becomes near impossible because of the contrast the highlights make with certain custom profile colors. I have also experienced this and fully agree. Some readers give up. Others go as far as to voice something to the writer. The writer hears this, and gets frustrated. It all makes sense.
Here’s a Chance for Medium Developers to Serve like Rock Stars
I’m speaking to the folks at Medium Engineering when I say that if Medium members suddenly notice there is a new sliding button that toggles highlights ON/OFF, you will receive a standing ovation. All the claps in the world returning to you, like you just finished playing your #1 hit at Madison Square Garden in front of thousands of screaming fans.
It’s called, ‘The Toggle’
I expect Medium Engineering to go into how developing The Toggle was a logistical nightmare. But the team plowed through, and did what it had to in order to make this happen for the readers and writers of Medium. Folks that pay $50 a year for the same reasons fans pay for the rock concert. To support the venue, and the visiting artists. To have the best possible experience together, as a result of how well the venue accommodates its patrons. This is accomplished through unique features.
Make The Toggle a Feature for Paying Members
This way, David Perlmutter and anyone else highlighting help writers get referrals. They’ve already laid the foundation for so many. For anytime a reader wishes to get past the highlights, they choose to become members. To support writers. Referrals will increase.
This is good for the patrons, artists, and venue. It leads to new readers gaining access to articles written by so many talented writers. Then it snowballs. All from The Toggle.
And look, even if this doesn’t lead to referrals, it makes the reading experience more enjoyable by putting the power into the community’s hands.
Now please give us The Toggle!
Encore!
