As a new member on Medium, I've gotten conflicting advice on the whole clapping thing. Half say use them sparingly, the other half say WHT not give the full 50, it helps the writer and costs you nothing. So, I only clapping on articles I've truly read, comment on parts I feel the need to comment on.

As far as followers, I won't follow those just because they follow me unless I find their writing of interest. Sorry, but to follow just to follow? Not for me.

I want Medium's algorithm to feed me articles that from my reading history, they determine would be of interest to me. I am, after all, a paying customer as well as a writer.

And if someone I follow doesn't care to follow me? So be it...maybe my feelings might suffer as a result of unrequited love, but I'd rather another writer on the platform benefit from their true patronage...