Chapter 1: The Disheartening Discovery

As a devoted reader and supporter of Medium, I often delve into various topics. However, I recently found myself feeling quite disheartened.

Photo by Tom Fisk from Pexels

Yesterday, I came across a thought-provoking yet troubling article by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, a personal acquaintance who has played a pivotal role in my journey on Medium. His choice to publicly tackle such a serious subject captured my attention, as I knew he wouldn’t approach it lightly. Although I was unfamiliar with NewBreak at the time, I learned more about it and will share my insights in a future story.

Here’s Why I Returned to NewsBreak in 2024

The opportunity to connect with a wide audience on a well-organized and supportive platform is an enticing prospect for writers.

My Epiphany

The crux of my narrative lies in a significant comment from the insightful reader, Obinna Uruakpa. His thought-provoking questions sparked an epiphany in me, awakening my scientific curiosity.

With over fifty years spent discerning patterns at even the most microscopic levels, investigating the intricacies of Medium’s algorithm doesn’t feel overwhelming. In this visual journey, I aim to create a narrative as expansive as 7000 words, illustrating that a single image can convey a multitude of ideas—perhaps even fulfilling my daily quota for quotes.

Join me as we decode this visual tapestry and explore why our stories, much like treasured artwork, seek greater visibility in the vibrant Medium gallery. I’ve included screenshots to facilitate this exploration of my findings during a brief survey of the latest articles served by Medium’s algorithm to millions of readers.

My Insights from a Quick Dive into Medium's Algorithm

It took me approximately 30 minutes to explore six major topics of interest. As an enthusiastic reader and dedicated supporter of Medium, I pay significantly more than standard members to access the best stories the algorithm curates.

Starting with Health, which has a following of 4 million readers:

1 — Health

Here’s what the algorithm is offering to Medium's health enthusiasts.

2 — Technology

As someone with a passion for technology, I was eager to see what Medium would present to me as a supporter. Here’s what I discovered, including intriguing messages from the same author.

3 — Psychology

Next, I ventured into my favorite topic, Psychology, which also boasts a following of 4 million.

4 — Science

As a former scientist, I was curious about the latest discussions in the science realm, given the multitude of doctoral and postdoctoral scientists contributing to this platform, which has 3.9 million followers.

5 — Mental Health

I also sought insights into the Mental Health topic, which has 3.6 million followers. I came across an article regarding Customer Care Helplines.

6 — Writing

Finally, I was on the lookout for useful writing advice, having struggled with engagement recently. It was delightful to discover valuable tips within this major topic, which also has 4 million followers.

7 — Curated Science Lists

I was curious about what Medium’s curators would present in terms of science as their curated collection. Here’s what I found, pertaining to the science topic followed by 3.9 million people.

While I found some valuable insights from John Gluck, the top four lists primarily revolved around ChatGPT. As a retired scientist, I questioned why I joined Medium to learn about ChatGPT. This is the content Medium curators highlighted for science enthusiasts, followed by millions on the topic page.

I’ve reviewed and curated numerous stories penned by actual scientists invited by Dr. Yildiz for ILLUMINATION publications. Strikingly, there isn’t a single list showcasing their curated or boosted stories. I wonder if Medium compensates these curators or if they operate on a volunteer basis. I suspect many volunteers would be eager to curate science topics if given the opportunity.

I shared my research on cancer in ILLUMINATION-Curated, hoping it would gain traction due to its significance. However, it received only a handful of views from my direct links, as it seemed that millions of readers were preoccupied with ChatGPT content. Why would they be interested in an elderly scientist’s work when they can access popular ChatGPT responses favored by Medium’s curators?

For curated content, feel free to explore my recent 26 collections. While I’m currently on a writing hiatus, I remain a passionate reader and curator, supporting inspiring authors on this platform. Although the front yard may be cluttered, treasures await discovery amid the chaos.

My Curated Collections

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Until August, I relished my journey as an aspiring writer on Medium, accumulating numerous followers as the algorithm once promoted my stories. However, penning this piece led me into distribution limbo. Regretfully, I wish I hadn’t written it, but it felt necessary at the time, as I took on Medium’s responsibility, only to be penalized by the algorithm, depriving me of my audience.

What Transpired on Medium Last Week

This serves as an update to my earlier narrative, but I’ve chosen to forgo Aussie slang or humor since Mr. Algorithm does that for me.

Thank you for engaging with my 7000-word essay. I welcome your thoughts. A select few may encounter this post, as the Medium algorithm typically shuns such articles that do not conform to distribution or boosting guidelines.

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Lessons Learned from My Experiences

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