Summary

The author reflects on their journey of joining Medium, initially apprehensive but eventually realizing the importance of engagement and connection through claps, comments, and highlights as a means of fostering collaboration and community within the platform, particularly within the Illumination publication.

Abstract

The author describes their initial trepidation upon joining Medium, likening the experience to skydiving with uncertainty and excitement. They initially struggled to understand how their real-world skills could translate into the virtual realm of social media, particularly with the platform's unique engagement system represented by claps. Through their exploration of Medium and interaction with a coworker, the author came to appreciate claps as a form of communication and relationship-building. The turning point was joining the Illumination publication, which emphasizes generosity and connection. The author has since abandoned their personal "secret system" of clap distribution in favor of a more open and generous approach, recognizing the value of every writer's contribution and the importance of encouragement and collaboration in the Medium community.

Opinions

The author initially viewed their safe and comfortable self-quarantine as a contrast to the uncertainty of joining Medium.
They questioned the motivations behind their decision to join, considering various possibilities ranging from a spiritual calling to the temptation of vanity.
The author felt unprepared and unaware of how to navigate Medium's social dynamics, comparing it to being thrust into a new environment without guidance.
They initially held a conservative view of clapping, reserving a higher number of claps for writers they followed or content that deeply resonated with them.
The author's perspective shifted upon realizing that claps are a tool for communication and building connections, not just a metric of appreciation.
The Illumination publication is seen as a model for fostering connection and generosity among writers on Medium.
The author now believes in the power of abundant clapping as a way to acknowledge the effort and courage of writers, and to encourage ongoing sharing and connection within the community.
They equate highlighting and responding to an article as an expression of appreciation equivalent to giving it 7 claps, which is a significant gesture given that 7 is their favorite number.

Into The Land of Spiritual Abundance

A Journey of Connection

I was self-quarantined in a relatively comfortable environment, existing at a safe distance from everyone, and barely feeling any outside pressure. So why in the world would I give all this up?

Was it a siren singing to me from the middle of the ocean in search of prey? Was it my inner voice pleading with me from inside pressures? Was it the universe calling me to my destiny? Was it one single voice, spiritually connecting to me and asking me to share and to receive? Or was it the fire of my own vanity, stoked by something evil in an attempt to corrupt me and steal my soul?

Well, either way, I did it! I joined Medium.

But it was scary coming here. As my courage urged me forward, I felt like I was on an airplane with some grizzled veteran giving me last-minute instructions, while helping me strap on a parachute. The grizzled veteran hands me a water bottle, two granola bars, and a little mysterious box.

“What’s in the box?” I ask. I get shoved towards the open door on the side of the plane.

The grizzled veteran looks at me and says, “It’s applause, you fool! Use it wisely!”

And with that, a swift kick to the chest and Medium, here I come.

For the next couple of months, I wandered around the outskirts of what seemed to me, an apocalyptic wasteland. Here and there, I read an article or two, making sure I used my claps wisely and wondering when all my followers would show up. As a relative novice to social media, I hadn’t yet realized that the things I had learned about leadership and management in the real world could translate into the virtual world. I had much to learn.

One day, in the times before social distancing, I was in my break room at work, reading Medium articles on my phone. A coworker came in and asked me what I was reading. I got excited.

I said, “Well, I joined this writing platform where people can write articles for others to read. I’ve written a few myself.”

“Let me see,” he said.

I quickly pulled up my latest article and handed him my phone with a smile. He skimmed through it quickly.

“What are these little hands?” he asked, turning to me.

“Oh, that’s the way we can give claps for articles we like, you know, to show your appreciation to the writer.”

He looked at my phone and then started laughing. I quickly glanced down to see that my article had a single clap.

Then he said, “Looks like this person gave you the clap!” And then laughed some more.

I took my phone back and gave him a side-eye.

He didn’t know anything about how Medium works. He didn’t know that every writer on Medium has their own secret system for clapping. For instance, if I took the time to read an article, I would give it several claps. If I really liked it, then maybe 5, 10, or even 15 claps. For some of the work from writers I already followed, they might get 20, even 25 claps from me. But the ultimate prize was when I gave 7 claps. Why 7? You might ask. It’s because 7 is my favorite number. If you got 7 claps from me, something really resonated.

By now I’m sure your wondering, how in the world would anyone know what my secret system is? Remember when I said I didn’t know to use my real-world skills in the virtual world? I honestly had never taken the time to consider that claps on Medium are a form of communication. And as such, it means that claps are a tool that can be used to build relationships, and ultimately, foster collaboration with other writers.

The same logic applies to highlighting and responding to writers’ works, they are tools for you to create connection. I didn’t realize this until after I joined Illumination, because ILLUMINATION is more than just a publication. It is a place to practice connection.

In one of the very first articles I read on Illumination, the writer (if only I had used the highlighting tool!) suggested we be generous with our applause. And that one article where Dr. Yildiz says read an article, highlight it, respond to it, give it 50 claps. . .wait one article? Just kidding. He encourages it in practically every article because he understands how it benefits us all.

When I joined Medium, I didn’t realize I was given an infinite number of claps. Well, maybe not infinite, but definitely far more claps than I will ever be able to apply. What we have been given here on this platform, and especially on Illumination, is a means to build and grow connections with each other, over and over again. A land of spiritual abundance.

So I’ve thrown out my secret system for clap distribution and replaced it with something better. When I give you 50 claps it is because I am applauding you for your time and effort in creating your work. I am applauding you for having the courage to publish it. I am applauding you for sharing your personal knowledge and experience that it might benefit us all. I am applauding you for sharing your possible vulnerabilities with us, whether they be language barriers, writing skills, or clarity of idea. I am applauding you for connecting with us and to encourage you to continue to do so. And I am applauding you for making us a part of your journey.

Oh, and if I happen to highlight and/or respond to your work, that’s like 7 claps!

Thank you all.