They Broke the Clapping Machine

Summary

The author reflects on the habit of quickly clapping and leaving articles on Medium without engaging further through comments, despite recognizing the value of deeper interaction.

Abstract

The article titled "They Broke the Clapping Machine" discusses the author's tendency to engage minimally with content on Medium by clapping for articles and leaving without commenting. While the author occasionally leaves comments, this is usually reserved for pieces that make a significant impact. The piece humorously suggests that the recent glitch on Medium, which may prompt users to be more engaged, could either be a nuisance or an opportunity to become a more active community member or even the "highlighting queen." The author contemplates the potential changes in their online behavior, weighing the ease of being an "Incognito Woman" against the possibility of becoming a more vocal participant in the Medium community.

Opinions

The author admits to often clapping for articles and leaving quickly, sometimes without commenting, even though they recognize the importance of providing encouragement and feedback.
There is a self-awareness about the convenience of minimal engagement, likened to being an "Incognito Woman" who interacts without drawing attention.
The author is considering whether to advocate for fixing the glitch that encourages more engagement or to embrace it as a chance to improve their interaction on the platform.
The article implies that the author might be more inclined to engage with content on a deeper level if not for the convenience of quick interactions.
The piece humorously suggests that the author enjoys the idea of being unnoticed, even as they interact with content, as indicated by the desire to be "Incognito Woman."

Time for some real engagement (or not)

I am guilty of it. I clap and run. Sometimes I highlight and clap and then run — not stopping to comment: nice job, I appreciated your piece, your story made me smile. I am not saying that I never comment, I do, but only when a piece hits me just so.

Surely, I can expand my commenting to more that the pieces that are just so — a kind word of encouragement, even a message about the shift+enter for poetry, but sometimes it’s easier to sneak in and sneak out, incognito.

If I ever become a superhero, I want to be Incognito Woman — you notice me but do not even notice that you noticed me.

Would I need a cape? That might be too flashy, a walking cane might be a better sell, and a hat and mask and gloves, no matter the weather. Even in the middle of summer, I slither in, donned in hat, mask and gloves. And sunshades. Of course. I can look at you while you are looking through me and no one notices.

I am between minds, whether to join the ‘Medium, fix the glitch’ crowd or hope that they leave it like that, forcing me to become a better Medium citizen or maybe the new highlighting queen?

HUMOUR

They Broke the Clapping Machine

Time for some real engagement (or not)