State of Medium.com: Reflections After 10 Days
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Chapter 1: A Reflection on Recent Events
Ten days ago, I engaged in a conversation regarding the present condition of Medium.com, prompted by discussions initiated by Dennett and Barb Dalton.
Since that time, my perspective has shifted slightly—some aspects have improved, while others remain frustratingly unchanged. On March 22nd, Buster Benson shared a post that felt like a rallying cry, a report from the frontline, and a call to action all at once. Initially, Benson's message offered a sense of hope. It appeared that the dedicated team at Medium was diligently working to enhance the platform for its users.
However, my optimism has since waned. From my own experiences, along with those of others, it is clear that spam continues to flood the platform, automated accounts persist in their activities, and the prevalence of text generated by artificial intelligence seems to be on the rise.
It's important to note that, as stated in the contributor guidelines for my publication, Mindful Wellbeing, AI isn't inherently detrimental. Yet, the type of content it currently generates embodies the very essence of what many educators dread: unoriginal, redundant, and overly simplistic in both structure and vocabulary. While the grammar might be flawless, it lacks the authenticity of genuine human expression.
Given this context, as a reader and writer—and also a former secondary English teacher—I find myself aligning with Medium's opposition to the publication of AI-generated content.
Nevertheless, despite Medium's official stance, AI-generated text appears to have established a foothold on the platform, and I find myself questioning the necessity of this.
The influx of such content not only undermines the quality of Medium as a publishing venue but also dilutes the financial contributions made by members, which are intended to support the hard work of genuine contributors.
Combating the challenges posed by website hijackers must be an ongoing struggle, as hackers constantly adapt. However, there are straightforward solutions that could significantly benefit legitimate writers and restore the platform's integrity.
One such solution would be to ban AI-generated contributions and remove existing posts that do not meet the community's standards. The tools to implement this are already available, and there is considerable support for such a measure.
I eagerly anticipate witnessing meaningful changes on Medium in the near future.
Section 1.1: The Impact of AI on Medium
As the presence of AI-generated content grows, it raises questions about quality and authenticity in writing.
Subsection 1.1.1: Understanding AI's Role in Writing
Section 1.2: The Fight Against Spam
The ongoing battle against spam and automated accounts continues to challenge the integrity of the platform.
Chapter 2: Looking Ahead
In conclusion, it is crucial for Medium to take decisive action to preserve its community and support authentic voices.