Summary

The author, Roz Warren, is experiencing a technical issue where her claps on Medium posts are not being registered when she uses her phone, leading to authors not receiving the intended acknowledgment for their work.

Abstract

Roz Warren, a prolific writer and Medium user, has encountered a recurring problem on the platform: her applause for articles, which she diligently provides through claps, is not being recorded when she uses her mobile device. This glitch results in her claps "evaporating," leaving no trace of her support for fellow writers. Despite her consistent practice of clapping 50 times for articles she appreciates, the issue persists, causing frustration for both her and the authors who mistakenly feel unsupported or undervalued. Warren has previously attempted to surpass her daily clapping quota to understand the platform's limitations and has written about her experiences with the Medium clapping system. She fears that authors may misinterpret her lack of visible claps as a deliberate withholding of support, which could potentially damage relationships within the Medium community. In an effort to address the issue, Warren has penned an article to explain the situation to authors and hopes that the Medium algorithm will disseminate her message effectively.

Opinions

Roz Warren is concerned that the technical glitch of evaporating claps on mobile devices may lead authors to believe she is intentionally withholding applause.
She emphasizes that she does, in fact, clap 50 times for articles she enjoys, despite the claps not always being counted.
Warren acknowledges the importance of claps as a form of validation and engagement within the Medium community.
She expresses a dislike for individuals who withhold claps as a form of punishment or negative feedback.
Warren is hopeful that by writing about the issue, she can clarify the situation to affected authors and prevent any misunderstandings about her appreciation for their work.
She suggests trusting in the Medium Karma Algorithm to help resolve the issue and reach the intended audience with her explanation.

MEDIUM

Medium Writers! This is Why I’m Not Clapping for You

Please read this before you hate me

Here’s the problem. I am clapping for you. All the time. But my claps are evaporating. Why? Because I’m reading your work on my phone. And I’ve discovered that when I applaud on my phone, the claps usually vanish.

I’m reading your latest Medium Masterpiece. It’s fabulous! I highlight the hell out of it. I post a pithy (or snarky) comment. Then, I clap for it 50 times. Because I always clap 50 times:

Why Do I Always Clap 50 Times?

It’s Not Complicated

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And then? I watch as those those claps evaporate. The Clap Total resets to whatever it was before I clapped for you. Why? I have no idea.

This never happens when I applaud you on my desktop. But it usually happens when I applaud you on my phone.

Evaporating Claps!

I figured out that Evaporating Claps were a thing back in October 2020 when I decided to see what would happen if I tried to go over my daily Maximum Clap Quota. I wasn’t able to meet this goal — because my claps kept evaporating:

The Day I Tried to Meet My Medium Clap Quota

You Can Clap for 150 Medium Posts a Day. So I Did Just That.

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So, having defined the problem, how do I solve it? How do I make my phone claps stick around? I have no idea.

The Problem is Real

And it’s a real problem. I hate people who refuse to clap:

I Have A Problem With Punitive Clap Withholders

Maybe You Do Too

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We all hate people who refuse to clap. And I don’t want to alienate my favorite writers. But how can I not?

You see that I’ve read your latest post. I’ve even commented and highlighted! But — no claps? Not a single one? You are, justifiably, furious. I have insulted your work with my snotty Clap Withholding. “Who the hell does Roz think she is?” you fume. “This is the best thing I’ve ever written. Her comment even says that I’m a better writer than Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway and Toni Morrison combined. But nary a clap!”

Whenever I see that my claps have evaporated, I want to reach out to the author and say, “I clapped for you! I really did! Please believe me!”

But I can’t. Unless I want to post a little comment saying that after every post I read. Which I don’t.

The Medium Karma Algorithm to the Rescue!

So? I decided to write about it. (Which, come to think about it, is what I do about all of my problems.)

Attention Medium Writers! If I highlighted or commented on your post? Please know that I gave it 50 claps. Even if you can’t see them.

Does this solve the problem? No!

Maybe 100 people will read this post. I probably phone-clap for 100 Medium posts every day. That leaves plenty of writers who are wondering why the hell Roz isn’t clapping for them.

Of course, I could drop a link to this post into the Responses section of every Medium post I read. Except that the only thing more annoying than failing to clap is to respond to a Medium post with a link to one of your own posts.

So? I’m going to just trust The Medium Karma Algorithm by publishing this post and hoping that it somehow manages to reach everyone who needs to see it.

That could happen, right? And if you’re one of those writers who has hated me ever since I failed to clap for you once back in 2020? I hope all is forgiven.

Writing Coach Roz Warren, who writes for everyone from the Funny Times to the New York Times, can help you improve and publish your work. Drop her a line at [email protected]. (That’s Ros with an “s,” not a “z.”)

Need a Good Editor? Get in Touch

Is There Anything Wrong with Creating a Medium Post That’s Just an Ad for My Services as a Writing Coach?

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