Is Medium Setting Us Up for Hunger Games, Writers Edition?

Summary

The article critically examines Medium's bonus system and its potential to foster a competitive, rather than community-focused, environment among writers.

Abstract

The author of the article raises concerns about the impact of Medium's new bonus system on the writing community. The system appears to incentivize writers to compete for top positions and monetary rewards, which could lead to superficial interactions and a lack of genuine engagement. The author argues that the drive for read time and compensation may overshadow the quality of content and the spirit of collaboration. Despite the allure of bonuses, the author values authentic connections and community support over financial gain, questioning whether Medium's direction will ultimately benefit or undermine the platform's unique creative exchange.

Opinions

The author believes that Medium's bonus system may encourage shallow interactions, such as quick claps and generic compliments, rather than meaningful engagement with content.
There is a concern that the algorithm and tiered rewards could turn fellow writers into competitors, prioritizing quantity over quality to win the "month-end finish line."
The author suggests that the true value of Medium lies in its community and the genuine presence of writers who engage passionately and supportively.
The article questions whether the pursuit of bonuses could transform writers into content factories focused on rewards rather than passion and quality.
The author expresses a willingness to forgo financial incentives in favor of maintaining authentic interactions and community spirit on Medium.
There is a worry that subscribers might be misled by the algorithm's emphasis on quantity, potentially overlooking high-quality writing.
The author fears being outperformed by those who engage in less time-consuming interactions due to the competitive nature encouraged by the bonus system.
The article highlights the importance of quality writing and meaningful engagement, despite the pressures of the bonus system.

If so, what’s lost by winning?

Today, someone declared they “don’t care about the money,” but competition is the reason they’re ready to crank it up this month on Medium.

If the new bonus system means only the most virtually beloved (speak it with three syllables, please: be.love.ed) will rise to the top and get the prize, then let’s face it: ascent insidiously requires increasing degrees of stinginess.

Clap 50 — sure, I’ll breeze in and drop a speedy 5 times 10. But will I respond? OK, maybe a hasty: Wow! Great article! Now I’m out. Hope you follow. Love it! Awesome writing! Even if the prose, poem, researched article, creative thought expression is focused on something harrowing or wounded — just add a quick flourish and you’ve done your part (to draw them to you), right?

I suck at sarcasm, but isn’t Medium setting up a scenario that inspires this kind of soul-sucking, drive-by clapping… am I missing something?

Because an impersonal algorithm and tiered set of monetary rewards favor READ TIME, it’s “safe” to interact briefly to get attention. When you’re both racing toward a month-end finish line where only “top” writers score, lingering or reading twice might risk pushing your competition ahead of you.

Do you want fellow creatives to be your immediate competition?? That’s where we could be headed.

What works in this space, now that compensation for quality is out of the equation — Honey, no one’s here to make a living wage — what makes publishing on this stage worth the effort is legit engagement.

Genuine presence.

People who write from passion and read from passion and respond with the intent to interact, support, further, enrich and enliven a thriving community of writers in reciprocal joy. This is the true gem we have to gain from being in this unique space together, publishing the best we’ve got.

If Medium becomes a competition, will it bring out our best — or turn those who stay into prize-seeking, vapid content factories?

This is an open question, not by any means a conclusion.

Things change — this experiment may fade out or evolve into something better before catching fire and wiping more of us out.

Honestly, I could use a bonus, but if it means I’d have to withhold full generosity of spirit, cheers — I’ll forgo the coins in favor of authentic exchange every single day. There are myriad other ways to monetize writing skills, promote my books and shine in this world for profit. Medium’s falling short in my accounts every way but one: community. I’ll stick with Medium for that reason alone.

No other social media platform has made creative exchange and mutual admiration work quite this way.

My secondary worry is that subscribers will be confused by the resulting race to glory and miss out on QUALITY writing. While algorithms dole out mounds of quantity, who will be compelled to publish against the current?

More personally, and less urgently, I wonder if I’ll be tagged into the ground because I’m the one in the wilderness willing to spend 4 whole minutes reflecting on and responding to a 2-minute read.

Stars I orbit (who probably loathe being tagged like this!) with samples of their stellar quality:

Grateful to Dr Mehmet Yildiz and ILLUMINATION for making room to share this conversation I’d be happy to evolve.