I'm afraid you're right. I am disheartened that Medium has resorted to cheap theatrics rather than, you know, paying ALL writers a salary.

My mom is in a nursing home, so that line hit home. It would also be nice to afford healthcare, but I've given up on that.

I don't mind working hard, but I'm not willing to invest the time and energy for what is, in effect, a lottery. Also, I think the prompts are horrible and uninteresting. Who wants to write about death or work after the year we've all endured?

I think I'll buy a lottery ticket instead and invest my time elsewhere.