I already explained in what context I would pack up and leave. It has no monetary connection, it is all about being visible on a platform where presidents also post. I was blogging long before Medium on my own blogs that I had to invest financial resources in. Not only was I not making money, I was losing money. To an extent I still am. Medium writing does not cover my $50/h rate, so if you wanna call me an idiot for still doing, feel free to, I agree. But you see, passion is passion, it doesn't have to make financial sense.

I still think that pubs are problematic and most editors are not actual editors. I since changed my stance on Codex and left as their content has become increasingly bad. I still regard Level Up Coding as a decent pub. If that changes, I'll change my opinion as well. That's how reality works.

I did not say Medium does not have curators. You misread. I also don't appreciate being suspected of unethical behaviour. I get boosted like everyone else. In fact less so, because my stories are rarely recommended by nommers, as half my content is in my pub and I am not a nommer (nor do I want to be).

You are willing to bet and you'd lose big-time. No spikes and I never do anything to encourage anyone in the Medium community Slack to favour me.

I am not going to consider your hypothetical case, because it's not the case.

My 60K (55K this month) average is pretty much the same as last year, aka the past you're referring to. Also, compared to that past, my income on stories is 50-70% less. BUT... I also post less, which is why the loss feels somewhat more appropriate. Also, keep in mind that my "numbers speak for themselves" is in reference to Tony's Medium Day update that the number registrations are increasing.

I feel like you're frustrated with someone else or something else and directing it towards me, and frankly, I'm surprised. Look, believe me or don't believe me. That's not something I can control. If you decide that my opinions changing as the platform changes are a reason to consider me untrustworthy, that's your decision and I am sorry you feel that way, but I really don't think I deserve being suspected and accused of things that I haven't done.