That makes sense, I don’t know if that is algorithmic or a result of the leanings of the vast majority of the writers, but it could certainly be algorithmic (who knows with Medium).

It is 100% true that the right to respond doesn’t account for the differences of the size of the PA system you are using. Too often, respondents can either be trees falling in a massive forest or remora fish sucking up to hosts and hoping for a pat on the head.

I am often extremely frustrated by Medium too. I had nearly 100k people touch my content about television and movies last year but this year my Top TV Writer and Top Movie Writer badges were stripped with no explanation (I suspect it is because the shows that I write about are out of season — hence not much new content).

I am equally frustrated by the payment algorithm. I have had articles that got 7 reads make 100X more money than articles that got hundreds of reads and, for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.

In addition, I also have noticed that it seems MUCH harder for stories to gain traction from our positions (not associated with a major content provider). Yes, my experience is anecdotal but has my writing really changed that much in the last six months?

Oh well, great mysteries of life.