I think Medium calculates read times, like Santa Anita calculates handicaps for horses. A four minute read becomes five minutes because the author uses too many big words, writes well. but about subjects Medium readers are not really into. So, a penalty is given.

Well, if you asked me the same question after three pints at the local, I'd say Medium tweaks the algorithm so less read time is given. Less time, less $$$ paid out. Sorry, I've become a little jaded on this platform. I'd like to think they would never do this but . . . not so sure. Payouts have crashed and that's based on read times so, yeah. Best get that fourth pint out of the way. Cheers