I'm glad you steered me to read this compilation of improvements for Medium. I have primarily heard the two complaints of earnings dropping due to robotic audio that I'm not sure any reader can enjoy and non-member writers being paid with the money members pay for dues.

And everyone needs to admit they write to earn money. I don't care what is said. Sure, we love to write, and it's enjoyable to have a platform to express ourselves, but if I didn't earn money, I would be gone, and I believe anyone who says otherwise is a liar. That has no bearing on how much I enjoy reading and commenting on other writers.

I have, in the past, listened to stories in which I got distracted, did something else, and barely heard a word. I can see this happening a lot. I might go back and read what I missed before I could comment, but a comment is not necessary to achieve a "read," so there was a "read" credit for that author. Right? Do you think Medium, knowing this can and will happen, pay that writer for that story as they pay for one that we sit and read through on our own? I don't. We simply can't be paid as much for audio articles compared to articles read by eyeballs. But, they do not say this anywhere in any words understood by members.

They brought on a feature they told us was a wonderful addition to our audience and failed to tell us that we would not be paid the same for the audio reads. They group them with our regular reads, so we cannot tell. The two should be in separate columns. As far as nonmembers earning for their articles....it's all wrong. If nonmember writers post stories and find out they like it and know they can make money; THEN they will join. Not if they are paid and don't even need to be members. I realize they will not have as much engagement therefore may not get as many reads. My understanding is a contest held a year or so ago was won by a nonmember. $17,000 or something like that. How can that be justified? That's like spitting in the face of paying members who keep the platform running ad-free. Sorry so long and I hope makes sense.