This series showcases some of the finest content from Medium and beyond, highlighting the rich tapestry of perspectives that exist outside this platform. It’s important to note that Eco maintains a strict “No AI-content” policy and actively avoids any articles suspected to be generated by AI.

Medium Highlights — A look into the ongoing discussion about quality versus quantity, exploring topics such as the reading ratio, aging, political improvements, the human-animal relationship, confidence building, climate anxiety, and more.

Martynas Ki. (@strangecash) raises thought-provoking questions regarding the platform’s focus, pondering whether Medium is emphasizing quantity over quality due to its algorithm favoring new content and user engagement.

Medium is focusing on the WRONG thing!

Is it just me? Or do you agree? medium.com

CarolF delves deep into the Medium experience and presents a curated selection of stories worth reading:

My Weekly Trip Down the Medium Rabbit Hole #30 My five stories of the week and a bonus pick. If you want to be pedantic, I admit that that makes six. Sue me. medium.com

Nanie Hurley discusses how your reading ratio significantly impacts your earnings:

Your Read Ratio Matters a Lot! Not only does it mean your readers like your writing, but it also translates to higher earnings for you. medium.com

Dr. Christine Dimoff reflects on the pleasures of aging:

Things I am starting to like as I get older. It won’t be a long list. medium.com

James Bellerjeau shares his thoughts on enhancing political practices:

If We Were Serious About Improving Politics… There are many simple practices we could adopt. What does it say about citizens and our countries that we do not? medium.com

Adrian CDTPPW discusses the human-animal dynamic:

I Love Animals, but Humans Are More Important to Me And I’m not ashamed of that. medium.com

In case you missed it, here's a humorous roundup from R C Hammond:

FridayFunnys! ed Cincuenta y Siete (57) Fruck & Finn ?? medium.com

Susie Kearley elaborates on her troublesome tenants:

Our Tenants Fell Through the Ceiling Another story of the tenants from Hell. medium.com

Derek Hughes uncovers a method for boosting confidence:

How I Discovered a Secret Source of Confidence (And Became Bulletproof) A simple practice to eliminate self-doubt & boost your confidence. medium.com

Bella Smith? examines the halo effect:

The Hidden Bias That Colors Our Judgment Are we blinded by the shiny and superficial? Medium writers and the dazzling deception of the halo effect. psychtimespublication.com

Sebastian Goldsmith critiques Medium’s demand for novelty:

A Daily Ritual On Medium’s demand for novelty. medium.com

Susie Kearley investigates a case of fruit theft:

Thieving Scoundrels Nicked the Fruit! A reward of ten guineas for information leading to the prosecution of the thieves. medium.com

Murphy's Law questions the right age to discuss the climate emergency with children:

F*ck Climate Change Activism In Elementary Schools! We’re all on the way out, act accordingly. medium.com

Wild River contemplates consciousness and the human condition:

Receivers, Interfaces Or Filters? On consciousness and the human condition. medium.com

Mark Suroviec, M.Ed., reviews this year’s must-have tech gift—the “Thermanator” flamethrower robot:

Move Over AI: The Hottest Trend in Tech Is Flamethrower Robots Santa, can I have a Thermonator for Christmas? medium.com

Marcus Musick discusses the merits of writing within a niche:

Niche or No Niche? It’s up to you to decide! medium.com

Medium tip of the day — Overcoming perfectionism simplest presents an easy approach to sidestepping perfectionist tendencies:

Override Your Perfectionist Tendencies With a Simple Editing Process Avoiding that stress that comes before hitting the publish button. medium.com

Trending: The following topics are currently popular in the UK: Rwanda, Chris Philp, Man City, Rebel Wilson, King Charles, Lakers, Moulin Rouge

Google Trends Edit description trends.google.co.uk

Outside of Medium: Climate comics, a government MIA, and plastic lobbying Comics are teaming up with scientists to communicate the climate message:

Weatherwatch comedy climate change 260424 Video series launched in which comics translate climate science into down-to-earth language. www.theguardian.com

The UK’s natural heritage faces risks from a government struggling with environmental issues:

Britain's natural landscape is in ruins - thanks to the Tories. Here's how Labour will restore it |… Sewage pollutes our waterways, species face extinction. We must act fast to halt the decline - and we will, writes the… www.theguardian.com

Plastic reduction talks are heavily influenced by the oil industry:

'Privileged access': pro-plastic lobbyists at UN pollution talks increase by a third Fossil fuel and petrochemical campaigners at Ottawa summit outnumber scientists, EU and Indigenous delegates. www.theguardian.com

Life Hack of the Day — Small steps for significant changes Niels Better Life shares tips for lifestyle enhancement:

The Only Way to Change Your Life In this blog, I’ll outline a two-step process on how I transformed my life completely in one year, and you can too. The best… medium.com

Quote of the day: “Voice is not just the result of a single sentence or paragraph or page. It’s not even the sum total of a whole story. It’s all your work laid out across the table like the bones and fossils of an unidentified carcass.” — Chuck Wendig

Joke of the Day: (Health warning — swallow coffee before reading) “Yesterday I couldn’t figure out whether someone was waving at me or the person behind me. In other news, I lost my lifeguard job.”

National Days: International Marconi Day, Eeyore’s Birthday, National Devil Dog Day, World Tapir Day, Woody Woodpecker Day, National First Ladies Day, Babe Ruth Day, World Design Day, National Gummi Bear Day, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, World Healing Day, National Go Birding Day, Marine Mammal Rescue Day, Independent Bookshop Day, World Veterinary Day, National Tell a Story Day, More Code Day, National Sense of Smell Day. (All of these are genuine! The link below provides further details, useful for some of the more obscure ones.)

What's coming up this week? Check out the upcoming global events, festivals, and unique holidays in the next few days… www.daysoftheyear.com

Did you know? The record for the longest human chain (holding hands) is 652.4 miles, made up of 5 million people in Bangladesh as part of a campaign.

Word of the Day: psychotropic — relating to or denoting drugs that affect a person’s mental state.

Clip of the Day: “Slipping Through My Fingers” — Abba

As always, thank you for reading, and enjoy your day.

To join a new Facebook group “Medium Matters” where writers can support each other and share articles. (To avoid disappointment, please note that this is not a “reciprocal reading” group.)

Mastodon — Substack — Minds For the search engine that plants trees: https://www.ecosia.org/

Discord — link to an unofficial chat group for Medium members — Join the Medium -- A community for Medium Members! Discord Server! Check out the Medium -- A community for Medium Members! community on Discord - hang out with 426 other members and… discord.gg

Editor’s comment: It is acknowledged that the authors featured above have not given prior consent for inclusion — it’s assumed that authors on Medium appreciate recognition and sharing of their work — but if you prefer not to be featured, please inform me, and I apologize.