I'm not a top writer, but I'm certainly not a slouch either. All writers read, whether or not you're following the people you read is neither here nor there - following is a vanity metric. The most telling bit of the article is the line 'most of us are scrambling to gain followers and make money online' - that's not true of me and never has been. I love writing, followers and money are a byproduct of that process. Once you learn to love language and not just see it as a means to an end - the whole Medium thing becomes effortless.

Jordan is right btw, you could take the names off the top writers and ask them to submit their pieces blind. You'd still be able to tell a Haque from a Kuegler or a Wildfire from an Ashley. Personality mattters. It isn't just jokes either - it's voice. All the seniors here have a voice :o)