The New Tipping Feature Makes Me Feel Like a Dirty Beggar
As a child my mum worked multiple jobs to keep a roof over our heads. Which meant there wasn’t much extra money for fun things, like computers or movies. I knew I couldn’t ask my mum for much; I was too young to work, and I’d already been caught shoplifting. Not great for an 8-year-old boy.
Rather than putting myself at risk of being arrested again, I put on some scruffy clothes and go begging. Reflecting on this decision, I’m surprised it worked so well. After a day of begging, I’d have enough money to rent a game, a movie and buy some snacks.
Now I’ve grown up and have a reasonably well-paying job. I’d thought my begging days were decades behind me.
Until Medium announced this new tipping feature.
Why does Medium want us to beg?
It’s all about the money. By offering the tipping feature they’re displacing the blame of lack of income for the writers. They keep their profits turning over, and we writers need to beg to get some food on the table.
