I don't really understand your comment, Britni. The entire point of the story is a representation (a straw man as you said) of things done as a single person that we've all done, and why it's all ridiculous.

Plenty of the behaviors are actually the result of reasoned analysis and coaching because Medium is inundated with horrible advice for new writers like follow for follow, clap groups, this is how to make it. Some of that advice is very good, but most of it is only there to gain followers and/or more money, not to become a better writer.

Everyone is more than entitled to take their own path, I have no issue with anyone's path. The problem is the entitlement and hypocrisy. For people who actually care about the community of writers as a whole, they would find spamming and overpublishing and follow for follow antithetical to the true goals of reaching people with their words.

Best wishes and thanks for reading.