Thank you for giving me an opportunity to reflect more on my participation in Medium. Because I'm a prolific writer, working on a book (and much more), the process on Medium of reading other writers on Medium to grow your communityis not working for me (though I benefit and appreciate when I do read other Medium writers).

Most of my readers are not on Medium so being a Friend of Medium mostly gives me the ability to share with my non-Medium readers, an ability I had before becoming a Friend of Medium. That ability was taken away from me except if I become a Friend of Medium.

At the beginning of becoming a Friend of Medium I seemed to get more payment for my work, but not so much now. I don't notice any monetary benefit for me of the Friend system except supporting other writers, which is great, but I am not reading others' writing at a level for this to also support me.

Most writer friends of mine are starting on Subsack. I may go over to Substack and maybe stay on Medium, maybe not, and maybe de-Friend. Thanks for your article. I had never heard of Beehive before.