There's a great Mexican restaurant we've been going to for over 25 years. Love it. During the Pandemic they reduced their menu by two-thirds. Eliminated items I loved.

Why? To remain profitable. Focus on what sold best, willing to let favorites disappear and lose some customers so they could remain in business.

Medium's behavior reminds me of this restaurant. They're focusing on what brings readers and new memberships. Willing to lose writers that have many readers but perhaps not new members. The stats are murky and hard to see through - but the patterns are visible.

Follow the money. Changes are business and profit related. But if explained in terms of readers and views and distribution - it sounds off. Like mom and dad explaining why they sleep in separate bedrooms now - as a time to regenerate personal awareness and self-love. Yikes!