Greed Strikes Again

Medium gets greedy. That is the summary of what I’m writing about. I just saw the ad for new “member” and  “friend” levels of membership. Forgive me while I climb up on my soapbox to orate about this, but I want to say this while it’s still fresh in my mind. 

I’ve been writing on Medium for a year. I average less than $1 a month from my writing, but as I’ve often said, I don’t write just to accumulate statistics or followers. I currently pay $5 per month, and that seems reasonably fair, but now these new membership tiers just strike me as another way for Medium to make more money while peddling the myth that anyone can become a successful entrepreneur and writer just by being a member. 

Some might posit that the new “member” level approximates the current plan, but the very ad itself makes it clear that there are more bells and whistles so this is actually a new paid membership level. I won’t even address the “friend” level because it is obscenely expensive. 

I understand that Medium is a business. I understand that businesses exist to make money. I am also mature enough to publicly remind Medium that my membership at any level is contingent upon my satisfaction with the product at the rate Medium charges. For those who will benefit the most from these changes, I congratulate you all, you deserve it. But for those of us who aren’t overflowing with disposable income, or making money hand over fist via Medium, this really seems like a bad idea. 

Don’t put Medium beyond the reach of those who write for the simple joy of doing so.