I started in 2018 as a half-decent Indie writer with a cute turn of phrase, I was under a different name then and we had a few interactions before you ascended into Medium glory along with Shannon Ashley. I think you're bang on with your analysis - the Publication Era damn near killed us Indie writers, and now the new model seems to be cultivating echo chambers and tub-thumpers aplenty. Quality writing does win out (sometimes) but there's a lot of dross still floating around - and there's a lot of legacy dross too, people who should've been put out to pastures new a long time ago.

I will continue to do what I have always done and write at the standard I enjoy reading. Medium has been kind to me, if not flattering. I'm not convinced I'll be ascending into Medium stardom anytime soon, but I'll slowly claw my way up the ranks. Penguins can't fly after all but that doesn't mean we don't enjoy the journey. 4 years is a long time in blogging and I'm impressed I've stuck with it - I did that both thanks to Ev and despite Ev - and what really matters most in blogging is longevity and persistence.

I'm still here and so are you. Always lovely to see your name pop up. :o)