avatarLon Shapiro

Summary

The web content discusses the origins and highlights the satirical works of Henry Wismayer and Morgan Rock Loehr on Medium, which critique the platform's content trends, particularly the prevalence of self-help and life-hacking articles.

Abstract

The website article delves into the "Grammar Games Genesis," detailing the rise of satirical writing on Medium as a response to the overwhelming number of listicles and self-help posts. It acknowledges the work of Henry Wismayer and Morgan Rock Loehr, who have become prominent figures in parodying Medium's content culture. The piece references several of their articles that humorously dissect Medium's algorithm-driven content recommendations and the community's obsession with viral success. It also touches upon the playful yet poignant exchanges between Wismayer and another Medium writer, Jon Westenberg, regarding the platform's direction and the quality of its content. The article concludes by celebrating a collective effort by various writers to continue the satirical tradition, turning the spotlight on Medium's content culture into a creative battlefield.

Opinions

  • The author expresses frustration with the dominance of "listicle life-hacking" on Medium, suggesting it has detracted from the platform's potential for meaningful writing.
  • Henry Wismayer and Morgan Rock Loehr are recognized for their significant contributions to satire on Medium, with their work being described as a response to the platform's content trends.
  • The article suggests that the satirical works serve as a form of commentary on Medium's algorithms, which are seen as promoting less substantial content.
  • The writer shows admiration for the parodies created by Wismayer and Loehr, considering them as a high form of satire that challenges the status quo on Medium.
  • The piece implies a critique of the
What could be better than a little Sunday school on a Sunday?

The Grammar Games Genesis

The story behind the story

This started out as a comment in response to the story “I don’t get Medium,” which addresses the whole listicle life-hacking domination of Medium that has frustrated so many of us.

I realized that the wonderful writing collection below served as the inspiration for my own attempts at satire. With that, I tip my hat to the King and Crown Prince of Medium parody and present a tall, thin digital tablet engraved in virtual stone containing their story.

I give you the king and crown prince of Medium-roasted Medium, Henry Wismayer and Morgan Rock Loehr.

Here is some of their incredible work:

Absolute must-read articles on Medium’s “algorithms” which spew self-help effluent to your door every day and how to write more popular posts:

A Cynic’s Guide to Writing the Perfect Medium Post

A Click-Bait Experiment, and the Navel-Gazing Problem that Threatens to Ruin Medium

An in-depth discussion of what Medium is thinking:

Down with The Triumvirate! Petitioning for Clarity on what Medium Wants to Be

Thinking Inside The Bubble

Spit-take parodies on life-hacking posts that will make you laugh so hard you will forget you’re mad about the crap in your email box:

A Tongue-in-cheek Medium Lifehack Review

10 Amazing Quotes That Will Explode Your Mind And Guide Your Life To Absolute Betterment. Achieve Maximum Human Potentialness By Reading Through This List Of Quotes That I Found In The Most Popular Quotes Section Of Quotes.Com. Consume Them All As Gospel. NO CONTEXT REQUIRED. Apply The Gist Of Each One To Every Aspect Of Your Life And Watch Your Emotional Revenue Flow Explode Out Of The Roof. Like Dr. Seuss Says, “Sometimes The Questions Are Complicated And The Answers Are Simple.” BAM. Lines From A Children’s Book Applied To Everyday Adult Situations. Isn’t That Just Ockham’s Razor You Might Be Asking Yourself? I Don’t Know. HAHA. Stop Asking Stupid Questions And Start Reading More Quotes I Found To Solve Problems You Didn’t Know You Had. KITTENS! Did I Mention You Will Also Grow 3 Inches? Boy, These Quotes Are Going To Game Change Your Life. Don’t Believe Me? Then Ask The Men And Women Who Originally Quoted Them. Oh, Wait, You Can’t Because They Are All Living On Private Islands With Exactly One Million Dollars Each. And So Can You. Read Each One Carefully. Trust Me, I’m Not Just Luring You To This Page To Shamelessly Promote Myself And My Freelance Services.

Get 500,001 Stats On Medium In 29 Days!

How To Success Your Success Into Succeeding Successfully

The amazing conversation between Henry W and Jon W.

First, Jon’s response to being parodied. (He has since deleted the story).

Then Henry’s incredible response:

Open Letter to Jon Westenberg, and Other Self-Help Blowhards

Jon’s sincere attempt to reform the system (also deleted)

Henry’s sort-of peace offering:

I Accept Your Surrender

Finally here is the humble collective effort of lesser known writers who have parodied the parody, and turned squabbling writers into a fantasy conflict of epic proportions. We, the cynics, humorists, absurdists, anarchists, and other assorted deviants, proudly present:

Humor
Medium
The Grammar Games
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