Medium Pays But Does It Pay Attention?

Yes, it is lovely to be paid daily to write.

But, does Medium really pay attention to the site’s quality via its current practices of curation, editor’s picks, and awarding Top Writer status?

First, Medium doesn’t curate pieces about Medium.

So, in order to find information about how to use it well, you have to mine vague, half-written maps everywhere.

Even, Medium’s own information is incomplete.

The curation guidelines advise that the amount of curation is partially determined by a writer’s history of being curated.

But, it doesn’t advise how the history contributes. Do you get more curated if you’ve been curated before? Or do they space out curations, so more new people can be read?

Even when emailed, Medium provides no further, specific advice.

This may become a moot point now that our main page is populated by who we already follow instead of the older version of suggested readings and editor’s picks.

Second, is Medium truly concerned about making people smarter with their editor’s picks?

I pointed out a racist piece of fake history in Jessica Valenti’s featured piece about equality several days ago via response and tweet to both the author and Medium Staff.

The article still stands.

Third, what is going on that four of the top writers in “Short Story” are all writing mainly erotica?

I write this not in frustration or a sense of sour grapes but in the hope, these things will change.

I write this with optimism and purpose.

I want to help Medium become a more transparent, responsible, and diverse place to share and read.

I know we can do better.