What’s A Poor Boy To Do?

I don’t really know what to say about this. I agree with much of what you say. I don’t see adding the Paypal widget as enclosing the commons, because it is not coercive. All I’m saying is: If you like this, consider supporting it.

Some publications already do not allow the widget. I can see Medium outlawing such direct appeals if it feels threatened by them. You are right, it doesn’t address Medium’s underlying problems (whatever they may be).

I went on-line in 1988. I also came of age when Information Wants To Be Free was the mantra. Steve Jobs and Bill Gates killed that idea. They were the first great enclosers, mad for power and profit. Neither of them are heroes to me.

I also agree that Medium will not continue to exist, at least in its current form. Good old Ev Williams will have to sell it directly or take it public and then sell it. His investors must be paid. When that happens, it will most certainly become ad based, like Facebook.

At that point, poetry which is not click intensive, will not be welcome. Nor will I. Poetry is already a marginal sideshow on Medium.

All of that is outside my sphere of influence. All I can do is write, post, wait and see. I’ll make my decision to stay or leave then, if I even have a choice.

Thanks for your thoughtful articles.

Mike