Is Medium still readable?

Writing and productivity tips overwhelm the platform.

Are we being terrorized by algorithms? Likes? Followers?

Why I write. It’s a compulsion. I started young, eight. I had my first story published in a Catholic newspaper. ‘How I Saved Jesus.’

The story: I rush into a church and save the Sacred Host. Me saving The Lord. They must have thought it cute.

I write because I always do. When Medium started up it was a blood-rush. A writer’s platform. A place to publish. The Mission Statement felt writerly. Home. More importantly, a place to read writing, to discuss writing, to vibe writing.

Not so much these days. Now it’s all writing about writing. Mostly from writers who write like they are writing to find their writing. Look, I don’t want to be mean. Writing is hard. Writers needs support. In the olden times that was the Pine Bar on University Place in the Village.

Now it’s the cool, blink-less stare of the screen at 3 a.m. I miss the bar.

I play the game myself. Hey, a boy has to pay the rent. Write on certain topics in certain form, and bingo! Hits! Virally successful! 5 Ways To Write A Headline. Listicles. Advice. What I do at 5 every morning. How to drink and stay sober. Important things.

But what do I really want to read? Good writing. I don’t want writing advice. I want writing seduction.

So I had hopes for Medium. I still do. I’m a hopeful guy. I tweak my interests and who I follow. I look for the good writers. Of course, I read books, but from Medium I expect discovery, maybe even revelation, direction, the currency of daily writing, new form, fresh meat, insight, vision. Harder to find than before. And that makes me sad.